Bacolod City Police Office director Senior Supt. Ronilo Quebrar yesterday said that the city police is ready to perform its duties for today's national and local polls.

Quebrar told the DAILY STAR in a telephone interview that the city's 400-strong police officers are prepared to maintain peace and order in today's elections and that they will also strictly enforce the 48-hour Comelec liquor ban that took effect at 12 a.m. yesterday.

He added that they will check on business establishments in the city to ensure that they observe the ban that will end at 12 a.m. tomorrow. "They can start drinking at 12:01 (a.m. tomorrow)," Quebrar said of those who want to drink liquor despite the prohibition.

He said, however, that resorts, hotels, and restaurants which had been accredited by the Department of Tourism as tourist-oriented spots are exempted from the ban.

In a press release from DOT regional director Edwin Trompeta, the accredited commercial outfits were identified as the L'Fisher Hotel, Casino Filipino Hotel, Goldenfield Kundutel, Luxur Palace, and Circle Inn.

Also accredited by the tourism office are Palmas Del Mar Conference Hotel, Sta. Fe Resort and Realty Development, Inc., Pendy's Snack Bar and Restaurant, Chicken Deli Food Corporation, L'Kaisei Japanese Restaurant, L'Sea Dimsum and Noodle House, 21 Restaurant, and Time out Bar and Restaurant.

Quebrar had earlier said that they will post four police officers at each of the polling centers in the city and will also assign escorts for the Board of Election Inspectors to ensure peace and honesty in today's voting.

He also said that they will conduct random checkpoints around Bacolod to maximize police visibility and are encouraging civilians to report any untoward incidents to the PNP through its 166 hotline.*PP

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