BY JEN BAYLON
AKLAN – The Kalibo Ati-Atihan Festival 2024, spanning a week of vibrant festivities, proudly concluded as a generally peaceful and successful event. This is despite a riot that allegedly involved some youth members of two bands and went viral online.
Site Task Group “AtiFest 2024” said the celebration saw zero major incidents because of the collective efforts of various stakeholders and law enforcement agencies.
The melee on Thursday night, Jan. 18, allegedly between some members of the Lagalag and Bayangan bands, occurred outside Kalibo Pastrana Park in the town’s Barangay Poblacion. Video footages circulating on social media platforms show on-duty police personnel immediately dispersing the commotion.
The extensive planning and coordination among the local government unit of Kalibo, non-governmental organizations, and other vital partners played a pivotal role in ensuring the seamless execution of security measures.
A total of 2,855 police personnel, along with other law enforcement agencies and force multipliers, were strategically deployed to safeguard the festival grounds and the surrounding areas. Their combined efforts helped maintain a secure and orderly environment, which allowed participants and spectators to revel in the festivities without any major disruptions.
Stringent security measures, including signal jamming and a gun ban during major events, were implemented to fortify the festival against potential security threats.
Additionally, both uniformed and non-uniformed officers were actively involved in preventing and addressing any minor criminal activities.
Brigadier General Sidney N. Villaflor, director of the Police Regional Office 6, expressed his heartfelt appreciation to all those who contributed to the festival’s security measures.
“These accomplishments are a testament to the strong cooperation of all those involved in the security preparations. We extend our sincere thanks for your support,” he said./PN
