The upcoming Ati-Atihan Festival, scheduled to open next week, January 15, in Kalibo, Aklan, and run until January 21, is displaying flags as a tribute to Mindanao.

“I have been receiving comments from those who saw the flags that they felt they were in Mindanao,” said Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan Foundation, Inc. Chairman Albert Menez. “We are paying tribute to them.”

Since last year, Martial Law has been declared over the entirety of Mindanao following terror attacks conducted by the Islamic State-backed Maute terror group, which left Marawi City devastated following armed conflict with government forces.

Last month, the aforementioned activity in Mindanao pushed organizers to ensure security is heightened for the event.

“The recent Marawi terrorism and the threat from the New People’s Army may spill over during the [Ati-Atihan Festival],” said Menez./PLL, WDJ