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BY BOY RYAN ZABAL
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Wednesday, January 11, 2017
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KALIBO, Aklan – Revelers attending the weeklong Ati-Atihan Festival are not allowed to bring backpacks and any deadly weapon.
Police are stepping up the security during the festivity, which started on Monday and ends Sunday next week.
Avoid the inconvenience brought by the inspection of backpacks possibly containing prohibited items, police advised the public.
Merrymakers are also encouraged to report unattended packages or any suspicious item, said Chief Inspector Terence Paul Sta. Ana, municipal police chief.
Drones with cameras are also prohibited unless the operators have a security clearance from the authorities, Sta. Ana said.
Guns and any other deadly weapon will be strictly banned, too.
All permits to carry firearms outside of residence were suspended during the weeklong festivity.
Only police officers, soldiers and other law enforcers on duty and on uniform are authorized to carry their service firearms.
At least 100 officers from the Regional Public Safety Battalion were deployed on Monday, Jan. 9 to police assistance centers at festival zones.
One hundred fifty more from provincial police offices in Western Visayas will be detailed across town on Saturday, Jan. 14.
The Philippine Army is also boosting security during Ati-Atihan.
Soldiers, explosives and ordnance disposal and K-9 teams, reservists, and paramilitary officers were deployed here, said Lieutenant Colonel Leomar Jose Doctolero.
Composite teams of police officers and soldiers have set up checkpoints on highways in the capital town’s borders.
Authorities said they have not monitored any “imminent, clear security threat” to the festival.
Still, the public should remain vigilant and cooperate with law enforcers, said Doctolero.
“Kahit walang security threats, tuloy pa rin tayo at paghandaan ang seguridad ng Ati-Atihan dahil alam natin ang nangyayari sa ibang lugar,” he said. “Hinahangad natin ang mapayapa at masayang selebrasyon.” (Aklan Forum Journal/PN)
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