BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Camp Crame has approved the imposition of gun ban in Bacolod City, in connection with the ongoing 43rd MassKara Festival.
PLt. Col. Sherlock Gabana, spokesman of the Bacolod City Police Office, yesterday said that the gun ban took effect October 17 and will end on the 23rd.
The memorandum from Camp Crame on the approval of the imposition of a gun ban during the festivities was only relayed yesterday to BCPO.
All Permits to Carry Firearms Outside of Residences (PTCFORS) have been suspended for the seven-day duration of the gun ban.
Gabana said that only the members of the PNP, AFP and other Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) who are performing official duties and in agency-prescribed uniforms will be allowed to carry firearms, as stipulated in the memorandum issued by the PNP hierarchy.
This is to ensure that the activity will be free from firearm related incidents, for the safety of the community, as well as local and foreign tourists, Col. Thomas Joseph Martir said in an issued statement.
While the BCPO and Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez heightened the campaign for a safe crime-free MassKara Festival celebration, Martir said that the police continue seeking the cooperation of the general public to do their share in making the annual festivities a success, especially as the highlights come closer.
Benitez yesterday turned over six brand new Mitsubishi Strada vehicles to the BCPO at the Bacolod City Government Center grounds, for use by the police force, which were received by Martir.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is being expected to arrive during the weekend to attend the highlights of the MassKara Festival celebration. On the other hand, his wife Liza and son Sandro, separately arrived yesterday in Negros Occidental.*
