The Bacolod City police will be augmented by 1,088 policemen who are arriving soon for the 19-day MassKara Festival, city Police Director Senior Supt. Ricardo de la Paz yesterday said.

Of the number, 478 are from the Regional Training School, 80 from the Regional Public Safety Battalion, and 50 from the Negros Occidental Provincial Police Office. The rest are new policemen from Guimaras who are undergoing anti-insurgency campaign training, he said

De la Paz added that the BCPO has formed Task Group MassKara to ensure the safety of revelers during the 19-day celebration, while Task Force Festival of Police Regional Office-6 will help in securing those who may opt to drop by Panay Island before going to Bacolod.

As to the gun ban being sought by the BCPO, Camp Crame is yet to approve it, but de la Paz said they hope it will be granted before October 1.

De la Paz presented to PRO-6 Director Chief Supt. Agrimero Cruz the security plan for this year’s MassKara during a command conference at the Camp Martin Delgado in Iloilo City Monday.

Meanwhile, City Tourism Officer Imogene Kana-an, announced yesterday that all hotels and inns are already fully booked.

There are 63 hotels and inns in Bacolod City with about 2,810 rooms but these are no longer available, she said.*APN

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