BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Philippine National Police is on alert during the two-day transport on March 21 and 22 in Negros Occidental, especially in highly-urbanized Bacolod City, to ensure that it will be peaceful and orderly.
PLt. Liberty Indiape, deputy spokesperson of the Bacolod City Police Office, yesterday said that police personnel will be placed on standby in areas of convergence of participating transport groups, and to secure pick up points where the local government unit offers free rides.
Even the PNP will provide vehicles to ferry stranded passengers, Indiape added.
They will also ensure safety of motorists from spike nails and similar objects that could endanger both motorists and people, she added.
BCPO will also intensify border controls and secure safety of inbound vehicle, and also to place on standby CDM (Civil Disturbance Team) contingents for any untoward incidents, Indiape added.
Organizers of the two-day transport are expecting a 100 paralysis of public transport operations in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental.
However, it will be business as usual for the Vallacar Transit Incorporated, operator of the Ceres Liner passenger buses, and government offices at the Provincial Capitol and Bacolod City Government Center.
In all the engagement and operations of BCPO, Indiape said that they will strictly adhere to operational guidelines and respect human rights.
PLt. Abegael Donasco, deputy spokesperson of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, said she is hopeful that the two-day protest action will be peaceful.
Donasco stressed that they will not allow the putting up of barricades along the road that would hamper the flow of traffic.
Police personnel in every town and city will also be placed on standby to respond to any emergency situations that may possibly arise.*