A TOTAL of 578 policemen and force multipliers were deployed for the 13th BacoLaodiat Festival in Bacolod City from February 15 to 18.
Senior Inspector Armilyn Vargas, public information officer of Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), said the 150 augmentation forces from Police Regional Office (PRO)-Western Visayas in Iloilo City arrived in the city yesterday to supplement the 228 city police personnel in securing the festival.
The augmentation personnel were welcomed by Senior Superintendent Francisco Ebreo, officer-in-charge of BCPO, at the headquarters yesterday afternoon.
Vargas said Ebreo advised policemen to be compassionate during their tour of duty and be observant of their surroundings.
The city police chief also reminded them to refrain from texting while rendering their duties, Vargas added.
A total of 200 force multipliers will help the policemen in the anti-criminality campaign.
Vargas said the security forces will be assigned in various areas, particularly at the two festival sites – Bacolod Government Center and Lacson Tourism Strip.
“This is to ensure the safety of the public for the duration of the festivity,” she added.
Vargas also said that law enforcers will strictly enforce the gun ban that will last for five days from February 15 to 19.
The Bacolod Traffic Authority Office will deploy 23 traffic enforcers to supervise the temporary road closure and rerouting for the four-day festivity.
