‘Oct. 23 cellphone signal shutdown will only be in Masskara Festival sites where the President will be’

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has approved the request of organizers and the Bacolod City Police Office to implement a “signal shutdown” during the highlights of the Masskara Festival on October 23.

Atty. Pinky Mirano-Ocampo, Masskara Festival 2022 director, , said they are expecting the arrival of the First Family led by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during the MassKara Street Dance and Arena Dance Competition and Electric Masskara events.

The “signal shutdown is normal practice done when the President is visiting”, Mirano-Ocampo pointed out.
She clarified, however that the “signal shutdown” will only be in areas where the President and his family will go “for security reasons.”

Gun Ban

Meanwhile, P/Col. Thomas Martir, officer-in-charge of the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) said they are still waiting for the approval of Camp Crame on their request to enforce a gun ban during the duration of the three-week festival.

The gun ban is aimed to prevent the crimes using firearms, Martir said.

Exempted are shootfest activities as part of the festivities, he said.* (W/EYA)