SAFE ATI-ATIHAN FEST. Aside from the personnel deployed on the field, policemen also monitor security people attending the Ati-Atihan Festival in Kalibo, Aklan via CCTV cameras. The policemen are working to achieve their goal to record zero major incident, Staff Sgt. Jane Vega, Philippine National Police Kalibo spokesperson for Ati-Atihan 2020, said on Saturday (Jan. 18, 2020). (Photo courtesy of PIO Abang Lingkod Aklan police)
ILOILO CITY -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) is targeting a record zero major incident during the ongoing celebration of Ati-atihan Festival in Kalibo town, Aklan province, an official said Saturday.
More than 1, 700 police from the Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO) and the Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO 6) are manning the festival areas to assure the safety of the public which culminates Sunday, said Staff Sgt. Jane Vega, PNP Kalibo spokesperson for Ati-Atihan 2020, in a phone interview.
The Aklan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMC), Philippine Red Cross (PRC), and force multipliers from Kalibo local government unit were also deployed to augment the police in ensuring everyone's safety.
Vega said most of the incidents recorded were alleged theft, snatching and some commotion among drunk revelers.
“These were minor incidents on our festival zones and we are thankful that no major incident has transpired,” she said.
The police also installed CCTV cameras in different areas of the town to monitor the security.
Also, since the festival kicked off on January 10, Vega said a daily critique is done by the police force to improve the security coverage.
“Hopefully we can maintain the zero major incident record until the D-Day tomorrow (Sunday),” she said.
She also advised the revelers to watch out for snatchers and thieves.
“Good thing, the revelers are coordinating with us in our implementation of security measures,” she said. (PNA)
