ILOILO CITY – The Police Regional Office (PRO)-6 said this year’s Ati-Atihan Festival in Kalibo town, Aklan province was generally peaceful despite a riot involving the youth that went viral online.
POLICE declare the Ati-Atihan Festival in Kalibo town, Aklan province generally peaceful. (Aklan PNP)
Police Brig. Gen. Sidney Villaflor, PRO-6 director cited the Site Task Group Ati Fest 2024 for preventing major criminal incidents in the event known as the country’s “Mother of All Festivals.”
Villaflor said crucial to this achievement was the deployment of a 2,855-strong security force.
"These gains were achieved through the collective cooperation of all contributors to the security preparation. Maraming salamat po sa inyong suporta (Thank you for your support),” said Villaflor.
“Both uniformed and covert police were actively engaged to apprehend individuals involved in petty crimes and other illicit activities that could disrupt the peace,” added Police Major Mary Grace Borio, PRO-6 spokesperson.
A gun ban and signal jamming were implemented during major events in the Ati-Atihan as part of the overall security plan.
The Aklan Police Provincial Office, the lead unit, was backed by the Philippine Army, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) force multipliers such as barangay “tanods” (watchmen), and cadets of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC).