Monday, January 17, 2005 (Philippines)

Performers of the award-winning Tribu Atub-Atub bring life to Iloilo City's streets during Friday's Opening Salvo of the Dinagyang Festival 2005. The Ati-atihan competition is set January 23. (Sun.Star Iloilo/Grace Bacero) KALIBO, Aklan -- THE highlight of the famous Ati-atihan Festival was marred by a bloodbath after a rookie police officer ran amuck, resulting in the death of seven people, including the Aklan provincial police director Odelardo Magayanes and Kalibo police chief Manuel Ilejay. One of the fatalities, Police Officer 1 Jonathan Moreño, a close-in bodyguard of Magayanes, was identified as the gunman. Magayanes just came from the concelebrated mass at the public plaza, marking the annual festival, when he was shot. [full story]