Beefed-up security readied for Ati-Atihan, Dinagyang

MANILA, Philippines - A total of 830 police and military personnel will be deployed to ensure the safety and security of revelers and Sto. Niño devotees during the Ati-Atihan and Dinagyang festivals this month.

Superintendent Samuel Nacion, Aklan police director, said the security forces will be composed of policemen, Army soldiers, reservists, volunteers and auxiliary police in Kalibo, Aklan and Iloilo.

Nacion said police have been on full alert since Monday and “policemen are at their stations at all times as local and foreign tourists have started to arrive for the festivals.”

Aside from uniformed personnel, Nacion said “spotters” were also deployed to monitor petty criminals, especially pickpockets and bag snatchers.

Meanwhile, Chief Superintendent Cipriano Querol Jr., Western Visayas police director, has asked Philippine National Police chief Director General Raul Bacalzo to impose a gun ban during the Ati-Atihan and Dinagyang festivals slated on Jan. 12-16 and Jan. 17-23, respectively, as part of measures to beef up security.

With the total gun ban, Querol said civilian gun holders will be prohibited from carrying their firearms since permits to carry firearms outside residences will be suspended.

Bacalzo earlier had approved the request of the Central Visayas police to impose a gun ban from Jan. 7 to 21 to ensure that the Sinulog Festival in Cebu will be free of firearm-related incidents.

Senior Superintendent Louie Oppus, director for operations of the Central Visayas police, said the suspension of permits to carry firearms outside residences will cover the entire island of Cebu, including the cities of Cebu, Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue.

However, gun holders from other provinces in Central Visayas can carry their licensed firearms provided they will not visit Cebu.