BORACAY – Around 1,700 police officers were deployed to secure the festival venues of the 2020 Ati-Atihan Festival, Kalibo chief of police Lieutenant Colonel Richard Mepania said.
Mepania assured merrymakers and devotees of their safety and security during the Ati-Atihan celebration on Jan. 10 to 19.
The augmentation force of 1,225 from the Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO-6) and 447 uniformed personnel from the different municipal police stations and the Aklan Police Provincial Office were tasked to maintain peace and order, Mepania said.
“The security preparations are in place. Tinitiyak natin ang seguridad ng mga devotees at visitors,” he added.
Mepania said Site Task Group AtiFest will establish 18 police assistance centers and police screening areas in the main and secondary festival zones.
Checkpoints and border controls will be manned by policemen and the Philippine Army to monitor and tighten the Ati-Atihan security, he added.
Mepania said half of the augmentation force is ready for Ati-Atihan deployment starting Jan. 10. The rest of the contingent will be deployed prior to the Jan. 18 to 19 festivities.
He refrained revelers from bringing deadly and bladed weapons, glass bottled drinks and firearms in festival zones.
“Bawal din ang pag-display ng double-meaning placards at paninigarilyo sa public places. Kailangan solemn ang selebrasyon natin. Nakahanda ang ating kapulisan na arestuhin ang mga violators ng local ordinances. Hindi tayo mag-atubiling hulihin ang mga lumalabag,” he said.
“Kailangan ang pag-unawa ng bawat isa dahil sa mga ganitong festival, ma-traffic, may adjustment tayo sa mga road blocking at may inconveniences sa mga commuters. Tumulong din tayo sa ating mga kapulisan sa pananatili ng kaayusan,” added Mepania.(With a report from Akean Forum/PN)
