Kalibo Ati-Atihan Festival 2026 Concludes Safely with Zero Major Incidents
Kalibo Ati-Atihan 2026: No Major Incidents Reported

Kalibo Ati-Atihan Festival 2026 Wraps Up Peacefully with No Major Incidents

The Kalibo Sr. Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan Festival 2026 has been officially declared a resounding success, concluding without any major untoward incidents throughout its week-long celebration. This announcement was made by the Site Task Group Atifest 2026 during the closing and awarding ceremony, highlighting the event's smooth and secure execution.

Enhanced Security Measures Ensure Safety

According to P/Col. Arpha Abul Kyr Salazar Macalangcom Jr., Deputy Regional Director for Operations of the Police Regional Office, security protocols were significantly intensified to protect the thousands of attendees. The police force successfully maintained peace and order, with an estimated 250,000 people participating on the main festival day alone.

A comprehensive security coverage was implemented, involving:

  • Over 3,200 personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection, and Philippine Coast Guard.
  • Disaster response units and other force multipliers deployed under the Site Task Group “AtiFest 2026.”

Proactive Strategies and Coordination

The PNP attributed this success to several key factors:

  1. Early intelligence work to anticipate and mitigate potential disruptions.
  2. Active engagement with possible troublemakers to prevent conflicts.
  3. Strict crowd control measures to manage the large gatherings effectively.
  4. Close coordination with various agencies to address incidents before they escalated.

Emergency preparedness was also bolstered through:

  • Establishment of staging areas for rapid response.
  • Activation of a joint operations center equipped with CCTV monitoring.
  • Installation of women and children protection desks in key locations.

Recognition of Collaborative Efforts

P/Col. Macalangcom praised the collective efforts of the police, partner agencies, the local government of Kalibo, and the public. Their cooperation was instrumental in ensuring a safe and orderly festival, reinforcing the community's spirit of unity during this cultural celebration.