BACOLOD CITY, June 3 -- This highly urbanized city has deployed a team of private security personnel to guard the public plaza, which is undergoing an upgrade funded by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA).

In an interview, Mayor Greg Gasataya said after a two-day briefing, the security guards already reported for duty on Wednesday.

"Based on the contract, there are six of them. Number one, as blue guards, they are allowed to use firearms. Number two, their sense of authority is different from the city's Public Order and Safety Office (POSO) personnel. Number three, there would be people accountable. That's why we decided to put blue guards in the plaza," he added.

Gasataya said those assigned by the POSO a...