The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it is on alert for the anticorruption protests planned for every Friday leading up to a nationwide rally on Nov. 30.
‘Our police commanders on the ground, especially in Metro Manila, were already alerted of this series of protests,’ Acting Chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement on Friday.
The Trillion Peso March movement announced the weekly protests last Tuesday, aiming to sustain its campaign against government corruption after its Sept. 21 rally.
‘We understand the importance of these activities for people who seek the truth, for people who seek justice, [and] for people who call for justice amid allegations of wrongdoings involving taxpayers’ money,’ Nartatez said.
‘While we assure the police of their active role in securing these activities, we are always ready for any eventuality, especially those who would dare to exploit these public assemblies to sow violence and openly violate the law,’ he added.
Violence erupted at Ayala Bridge and the Mendiola Peace Arch, which led to Malacañang, during the Baha Sa Luneta and Trillion Peso March rallies on Sept. 21.
Over 200 protesters, including around 80 minors, were arrested, prompting human rights groups to accuse the police of failing to exercise maximum tolerance.
Four individuals, including two student leaders, were subpoenaed by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group for questioning over their alleged roles in the violence.
Kabataan Party-list condemned the subpoenas as ‘state harassment.’
The protests were triggered by alleged anomalies in flood-control and other infrastructure projects./mcm