By Gabriel Kim Leal
(June 27, 2024) – The government of San Juan is investigating reports of disorderly conduct of some residents during the city’s annual Basaan Festival last Monday.
Videos have gone viral on Facebook and X, showing residents drenching passing motorists—including those going to work—with water despite being asked not to, sparking outrage among those affected.
Netizens also expressed their anger, with one user on X calling out the festival for lacking “basic human decency.”
One netizen argued that local officials didn’t put up enough safety measures during the event, which is also called the Wattah Wattah Festival.
On Thursday, San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora urged victims of the disruptive behavior of residents to come forward and file complaints.
“Maaari silang makulong base sa kanilang mga ginawa. Ang ating city ordinance merong limitations pagdating sa fines and penalties based on the local government code. Mas malakas talaga at may ngipin ang ating Revised Penal Code,” said Zamora in a media briefing.
He added that he won’t allow the reputation of San Juan to be damaged by the issue.
On Wednesday, the local government acknowledged the reports of disorderly conduct. It apologized to the public and encouraged those who possess evidence of alleged violations to submit them.
“Humihingi kami ng paumanhin sa nangyaring kaguluhan sa ‘basaan’ noong kapistahan ni San Juan Bautista. Ang ‘basaan’ ay isang relihiyoso at pangkulturang tradisyon na isinasagawa sa San Juan,” wrote San Juan’s Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office in a statement.
The Basaan Festival is held in San Juan every year to commemorate the birth of St. John the Baptist, the city’s patron saint. The dousing of water is meant to symbolize baptism.
(PM)
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