KALIBO, Aklan – Drones will be used to secure Ati-Atihan Festival’s opening salvo today.
They will fly over areas where there are big crowds during the merrymaking, said Kalibo police station head Superintendent Richard Mepania.
Mepania said they target to have zero major crime incidents.
Around 200 police personnel will be deployed to secure today’s “Tamboe Sadad.”
The flow of traffic was prearranged as there will be a parade on the streets of Kalibo – a sneak peak for the 2019 installment of Ati-Atihan, which dubbed as the “Mother of All Philippine Festivals.”
Tamboe Sadsad will feature the tribes and their street dance performances. There will also be an outdoor night party.
Festival organizers expect around 2,000 revelers to swarm in Kalibo.
“We will maintain peace and order during the opening salvo,” said Mepania, adding that they have coordinated with the Aklan Police Provincial Office and the Kalibo Santo Niño Ati-Atihan Foundation, Inc.
The municipal police will employ the same security framework used in hosting the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in the region.
Mepania has urged the public to follow the existing municipal ordinances.
“Don’t bring bottled alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, illegal drugs, and bladed and improvised weapons during the street dancing. No smoking in public places,” Mepania stressed.
Security personnel will be assigned at the Pastrana Park. Police officers will also help traffic enforcers in making sure that the traffic rerouting scheme is followed.
Personnel from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and Bureau of Fire Protection will be on standby in case of emergencies.
Mepania added that evacuation and rescue plans were already laid out.
“We are confident na matiwasay at successful ang Ati-Atihan opening salvo natin,” he stressed. (With Aklan Forum Journal/PN)
