BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has approved the requests of the organizers of the Masskara Festival and the Bacolod City police to shut down mobile phone signals during the event highlights on Oct. 23.
“This is customary during major events, especially since we are expecting President Ferdinand Marcos to attend,” lawyer Pinky Mirano-Ocampo, festival director, said.
Activities on Oct. 23 include the MassKara street and arena dance competitions as well as the Electric MassKara events.
Ocampo clarified the signal shutdown would only affect areas where the President and his family would stay, for security reasons.
As to the implementation of a gun ban during the MassKara period, city police chief Col. Thomas Joseph Martir yesterday said he has yet to receive the approval from Camp Crame.
Martir said the gun ban is aimed at preventing shooting incidents during the festival.
If approved, people participating in shootfest competitions that are part of the event are exempted from the ban.