Ati-Atihan organizer appeals relief of Kalibo police chief

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

Festival organizer in Kalibo, Aklan on Monday has appealed the ‘untimely’ relief of Kalibo municipal police chief.

Albert Menez, who chairs the Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan Foundation, Inc. (Kasafi), said the Ati-Atihan management needs the expertise, reputation and capability of Police Superintendent Richard Mepania to make sure the model event security framework for Kalibo Ati-Atihan will be implemented as planned.

The outgoing Kalibo chief of police was relieved on December 7 and reassigned as deputy commander of Regional Mobile Force Company in Iloilo. Mepania assumed the Kalibo post last February 19 this year.

Mepania’s deputy Chief Inpector Kenneth Paniza will be the acting chief of Kalibo municipal police station. 

Menez added that the relief of Mepania is critical in their preparations for the festival with barely a month to go for the festivities. 

The famed Kalibo Ati-Atihan will kick off on January 2 until January 20, the third Sunday of January, with various religious and tourism activities lined up to attract devotees, balikbayans and tourists. 

“Mepania’s strong collaboration and partnership with stakeholders, local government units, other law enforcement agencies and Kasafi are crucial in maintaining peace and order, and the eventual success of the festival in terms of security preparations,” he stressed.

It was learned that Kalibo mayor William Lachica also appealed Mepania’s relief at the national headquarters of Philippine National Police (PNP). 

Last December 5, the Site Task Group Ati 2019 presented the security and safety plans of Ati-Atihan festivals in Police Regional Office 6 in Iloilo City. 

The security and emergency preparedness cover traffic management, events security and incidents handling to secure the influx of thousand of tourist and devotees.

Police and the festival organizer target ‘zero major crime incidents’ during the 18-day celebration of the Feast of Señor Santo Niño de Kalibo.