Kalibo Ati-Atihan festival ‘generally peaceful’

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

The Kalibo Sto. Nino Ati-Atihan festival was generally peaceful with zero casualty except for minor incidents, Chief Superintendent Josephus Angan of Police Regional Office (PRO) said.

Angan said, “some 900 policemen, army, volunteers and force multipliers were deployed to secure the festival and the safety of revelers and devotees.”

The regional director also lauded the coordination of Aklan Police Provincial Office, Kalibo Sto. Nino Ati-Atihan Foundation, Inc. (Kasafi), the Kalibo police station, and the local government of Kalibo.

“Out of 900 security force, there were 633 policemen and more than 200 personnel from Philippine Army, reservists and volunteers assigned for the festivities,” he said in an interview at Kasafi office.

Angan also conducted inspections in police assistance centers to ensure the visitors were safe in their yearly devotion for Senor Sto. Nino.

There were 14 police assistance centers established in strategic areas with uniformed personnel for maximum police visibility and to assist traffic, vehicular accidents and others.

Senior Superintendent Allan Guisihan, Deputy Regional Director for Operations and Senior Superintendent Larry Decena also joined Angan in their festival visit and monitoring. 

Meanwhile, Superintendent Aden Lagradante, Kalibo police chief, said two male pickpockets were arrested who reportedly victimized  tourists and devotees during the weeklong festival.

One of the suspects was caught red-handed and beaten up by the crowd near the Kalibo Pastrana Park after he victimized an Australian national.  

There were cases also of snatching, theft and mauling incidents reported during the festival.