At least 680 personnel of the Philippine National Police, other uniformed service units, and civilian emergency response teams will secure the “Panaad Sa Negros Festival” on April 17 to 23.

The troops were deployed by the Task Group Panaad Festival during a ceremonial send-off held at the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) grounds in this city on Saturday.

The province’s annual “festival of all festivals,” participated in by 13 cities and 19 municipalities, returns to the Panaad Park and Stadium in Barangay Mansilingan here after a three-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Col. Leo Pamittan, police provincial director and commander of Site Task Group Panaad Festival 2023, said the deployed personnel are fully prepared to secure the seven-day festivity.

“They will be stationed in different security sectors and task units,” he added.

They include members of the NOCPPO, Bacolod City Police Office, Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Mobile Force Battalion – Western Visayas, 6th Special Action Battalion of Special Action Force, Maritime Group, Aviation Security Group, Explosive and Ordnance/K9 Group, Highway Patrol Group, Philippine Coast Guard – Western Visayas, Bureau of Fire Protection – Negros Occidental, and Bacolod Traffic Authority Office.

A gun ban will be enforced in the entire province, including in this capital city, for the duration of the Panaad, according to a memorandum issued by PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr.

From 12:01 a.m. of April 17 to 11:59 p.m. of April 23, all permits to carry firearms outside of residence will be suspended to ensure that the festival will be “free from firearm-related incidents for the safety of the community, and the local and foreign tourists.”

Only members of the PNP, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and other law enforcement agencies, who are performing official duties in proper agency-prescribed uniforms, will be allowed to carry firearms during the festival. (PNA)