Minors engage in street fight during San Juan's Wattah Wattah Festival
A street fight involving two groups of minors disrupted the annual Wattah Wattah Festival in San Juan on Tuesday, June 24.
The altercation reportedly occurred at the height of the basaan (water dousing) festivities as part of the celebration of the Feast of St. John the Baptist.
According to initial reports, a 14-year-old boy was allegedly attacked by a group of around 10 individuals, believed to be in their late teens or early twenties.
Witnesses claimed that the victims were first doused with water and later physically assaulted.
The involved minors were brought to the City Social Welfare for first aid treatment and counselling
The city government had designated “basaan zones” along Pinaglabanan Road from N. Domingo to P. Guevarra, and around the Pinaglabanan Shrine.
“Basaan” was also limited to 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Participants were banned from opening cars and blasting unsuspecting drivers with water, or using dirty water, glass bottles, ice, plastic containers, high-pressure water sprayers, or any equipment that may cause harm.
A liquor ban was also implemented in the city from 12:01 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday.