San Juan’s lively “Wattah Wattah” festival turned sour for rider Eustaquio Rapal, who reported an assault and damage to his phone during the event.
The incident, which occurred on Monday, led Rapal to visit Mayor Francis Zamora’s office on Friday morning to seek help. Rapal explained that he was en route to Mandaluyong City when a man approached him amid the water-splashing festivities. “I pleaded with him not to splash me as my phone contained important documents, but he ignored me and drenched me, ruining my phone,” Rapal said in a GMA Integrated News. The situation escalated when the man hit Rapal on the head and left the scene, while others continued to splash water on him.
Mayor Zamora, expressing concern, accompanied Rapal to file a complaint with the San Juan City Prosecutor’s Office. “We reviewed the CCTV footage with barangay officials and identified the individual responsible,” Zamora said. He also promised to replace Rapal’s phone and compensate for his lost income due to the incident.
The festival, meant to honor Saint John the Baptist, faced backlash as videos circulated on social media showing unruly behavior. Some individuals were seen opening car doors to splash water on the occupants, and one video featured a man mocking a rider while soaking him. In a separate incident, a rider was arrested for throwing muriatic acid in frustration after being splashed despite his objections.
In response to the chaos, Mayor Zamora issued a public apology on Thursday, encouraging those affected to come forward and file complaints. “We are working to identify all violators with the help of barangay captains, officials, and residents. Legal actions will be taken against each one,” he stated.
To prevent future disturbances, the local government plans to establish a designated “splashing zone” on Pinaglaban Road for next year’s celebration. This move aims to contain the festivities and minimize disruptions to the public.
