WATTAH WATTAH FESTIVAL 2024: SAN JUAN LOOKING FOR RIOTERS

(SPOT.ph) The San Juan City government is now looking for the riotous celebrators who brought chaos to their streets during the Wattah Wattah Festival on Monday, June 24, but unlike St. John the Baptist, their persecution will not be looked back upon with reverence.  

Investigations are now ongoing, confirmed local government in a statement on June 27. "Kami ay aktibong nangangalap ng ebidensya ng kaguluhan sa nasabing kaganapan," they wrote.

Videos of revelers engaging in rowdy behavior during the festival—such as those caught on camera dousing motorists, including on-duty delivery riders, students, office workers, and other commuters with water—have gone viral in the past few days, with city government citing City Ordinance No. 51, Series of 2018 as the rule being violated. They are calling on people with relevant videos, photos, or even proof in any manner to submit them to the City Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office so that the rioters may be held accountable. 

Also read: This Church Is a Marker of Poblacion's Centuries-Old HeritageThis Open-Air Neighborhood Mall Is Now a San Juan Architectural Gem

Wattah Wattah Festival violators in San Juan to face consequences

San Juan City Mayor made a stronger call in a press conference on June 27, asking people affected to come to his office so that the city legal officer can help file cases straight with the San Juan City Prosecutor's office. "Mas gusto ko po na pumunta sila dito at sila ang mag-file ng kaso direct sa mga piskal upang Revised Penal Code (RPC) mismo ang magamit kung saan mas malaki ang magiging parusa sa kanila," said Zamora.

According to Zamora, consequences for those found guilty of violating the Penal Code will depend on the gravity of the offense (including direct assault, unjust vexation, malicious mischief, and more). Meanwhile, those found guilty of violating the City Ordinance will simply be slapped with a fine and community service, in varying degrees depending on the count of their offense. 

In a separate interview with SPOT.ph, the mayor expressed frustration at having to face similar problems during every annual celebration of what should be a holy festival. He explained that he aims for all of this year's perpetrators to face consequences in hopes that next year will be different. 

"Taos-puso kaming humihingi ng paumanhin sa mga naapektuhan ng kaguluhan ng ilang mga dumalo sa pagdiriwang. Tinitiyak namin na gagawin namin ang lahat ng kinakailangang hakbang upang masigurong pananagutin ang lahat ng mga lumabag nang naaayon at upang hindi na ito maulit pa sa mga susunod na pagdiriwang," wrote the San Juan government in their statement. 

Why is the Wattah Wattah Festival celebrated in San Juan?

The Wattah Wattah Festival, or Basaan Festival, is an annual festival held on June 24 in the city of San Juan held in honor of their namesake's birthday. San Juan's current name is a contraction of their original name, San Juan del Monte, which is a combination of the name of the area's patron saint and a toponym—meaning "St. John the Baptist" was combined with "of the mountain," referring to the hilly topography of the area. 

On this day, the people of San Juan line their streets and splash or douse passersby with water, supposedly to remind them of being baptized. Unfortunately, it is this celebratory feature of the festival that has earned it quite the bad rap through the years. Many reckless celebrators have caused damage to property and even harm to people by dousing those on the way to work, commuting, and even clambering unto public utility vehicles to spray passengers or even forcibly opening private vehicle doors.

2024-06-28T08:14:06Z dg43tfdfdgfd