03/10/2026
MASSKARA 2026 GETS 2,686-COP SECURITY BOOST
The Philippine National Police, under the command of PNP Chief PGEN Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., has strengthened security preparations for MassKara Festival 2026 with police personnel from the Police Regional Office Negros Island Region and other Police Regional Offices mobilized to help secure the celebration in Bacolod City.
A total of 2,686 personnel are deployed, including 808 from the Bacolod City Police Office, 500 from the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, 250 from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion, 105 from the Regional Headquarters, and 400 from Police Regional Office 6. The remaining personnel are drawn from various training, leadership, and field programs, including BISOC, FTP, PSJLC, PSSLC, and PSOCC.
The personnel were formally sent off on September 30, 2026, at the BCPO Parade Ground, BCPO Headquarters, Barangay Singcang-Airport, Bacolod City. They will secure festival venues, parade routes, public convergence points, transport hubs, entry points, and other vital installations, with emphasis on police visibility, crime prevention, crowd and traffic management, prompt response, and support to crime investigation and solution.
MassKara Festival 2026 is being held in Bacolod City, Negros Island Region, from October 1 to 18, 2026, with the closing and awarding ceremonies scheduled for October 25, 2026. Carrying the theme “Share The Smile. Celebrate Gugma,” the celebration is expected to draw residents and visitors to various festival venues and public spaces across the City of Smiles.
The security operation will be reinforced by the Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Army, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Bacolod City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, rescue groups, and force multipliers, along with EOD personnel, drone operators, K9 teams, and medical support groups.
Patrol cars, fire trucks, prisoner transport vehicles, motorcycles, ambulances, handheld radios, metal detectors, and crowd dispersal management equipment will further support mobility, security screening, communication, and response in high-traffic areas.
“Our priority is to protect every person who will take part in MassKara and ensure that police presence is felt where it matters most. We are ready to respond to situations that may threaten public safety,” PGEN Nartatez said.
“Layunin natin na maging ligtas ang bawat selebrasyon at makapagdiwang ang mga tao nang may kapanatagan. Nandiyan ang ating mga pulis upang tumulong at panatilihin ang kaayusan,” he added.
The deployment supports the PNP Focused Agenda, a framework for transformation designed to strengthen police service and deliver concrete results, particularly through Enhanced Managing Police Operations, one of the key priorities that define the course of the PNP.
As the PNP safeguards MassKara Festival 2026 and strengthens public safety in Bacolod City under the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., it assures the public of “Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat, at Nararamdaman.”
(PNP-PIO)
MASSKARA 2026 GETS 2,686-COP SECURITY BOOST
The Philippine National Police, under the command of PNP Chief PGEN Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., has strengthened security preparations for MassKara Festival 2026 with police personnel from the Police Regional Office Negros Island Region and other Police Regional Offices mobilized to help secure the celebration in Bacolod City.
A total of 2,686 personnel are deployed, including 808 from the Bacolod City Police Office, 500 from the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, 250 from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion, 105 from the Regional Headquarters, and 400 from Police Regional Office 6. The remaining personnel are drawn from various training, leadership, and field programs, including BISOC, FTP, PSJLC, PSSLC, and PSOCC.
The personnel were formally sent off on September 30, 2026, at the BCPO Parade Ground, BCPO Headquarters, Barangay Singcang-Airport, Bacolod City. They will secure festival venues, parade routes, public convergence points, transport hubs, entry points, and other vital installations, with emphasis on police visibility, crime prevention, crowd and traffic management, prompt response, and support to crime investigation and solution.
MassKara Festival 2026 is being held in Bacolod City, Negros Island Region, from October 1 to 18, 2026, with the closing and awarding ceremonies scheduled for October 25, 2026. Carrying the theme “Share The Smile. Celebrate Gugma,” the celebration is expected to draw residents and visitors to various festival venues and public spaces across the City of Smiles.
The security operation will be reinforced by the Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Army, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Bacolod City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, rescue groups, and force multipliers, along with EOD personnel, drone operators, K9 teams, and medical support groups.
Patrol cars, fire trucks, prisoner transport vehicles, motorcycles, ambulances, handheld radios, metal detectors, and crowd dispersal management equipment will further support mobility, security screening, communication, and response in high-traffic areas.
“Our priority is to protect every person who will take part in MassKara and ensure that police presence is felt where it matters most. We are ready to respond to situations that may threaten public safety,” PGEN Nartatez said.
“Layunin natin na maging ligtas ang bawat selebrasyon at makapagdiwang ang mga tao nang may kapanatagan. Nandiyan ang ating mga pulis upang tumulong at panatilihin ang kaayusan,” he added.
The deployment supports the PNP Focused Agenda, a framework for transformation designed to strengthen police service and deliver concrete results, particularly through Enhanced Managing Police Operations, one of the key priorities that define the course of the PNP.
As the PNP safeguards MassKara Festival 2026 and strengthens public safety in Bacolod City under the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., it assures the public of “Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat, at Nararamdaman.”
(PNP-PIO)