POLICE attend a coordination meeting for the 2026 Ati-Atihan Festival in Kalibo, Aklan. (PNP/Aklan PPO Public Information Office)
ILOILO CITY – Two-thousand, nine-hundred eighty police officers were deployed to secure the 2026 Ati-Atihan Festival in Kalibo, Aklan from Jan. 17 to 18.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) said they are part of the more than 12,500 lawmen tapped for three major festivals of the Visayas – the Sinulog of Cebu, Dinagyang of Iloilo, and Ati-Atihan.
They are expected to boost security measures that also include a 10-day gun ban that started on Monday, Jan. 12.
The Aklan Provincial Police Office reminded lawmen to enforce rules fairly.
“Be firm in implementing guidelines for maintaining peace and order, but do so with compassion and avoid any form of rudeness,” said Police Col. Belshazar Villanoche, deputy special task group commander for the Ati-Atihan Festival.
“Your uniform is not just a symbol of authority. It carries a heavy responsibility to uphold peace, and must never be abused,” added Villanoche.