The Trillion Peso March Movement has renewed its call for the government to expedite the prosecution of those implicated in the flood control corruption scandal.
‘Our request is to speed up the process of investigation. If the President gave a marching order, it should be done quickly,’ Bishop Efraim Tendero of the Evangelical Churches of the Philippines told One News’ ‘Morning Matters’ yesterday.
Tendero noted that the probe into anomalous flood control projects, which started in earnest last August, has dragged on for too long.
‘Why haven’t cases been filed yet when there is prima facie evidence already coming from the district engineers and contractors?’ he said.
The faith leader stressed that the movement would not allow the issue to fade from public attention.
‘Maybe the dilly-dallying will reach a point where, when Christmas arrives, the issue will be forgotten,’ he said. ‘We won’t allow it.’
The Evangelical Churches of the Philippines is one of the organizations taking part in the Trillion Peso March Movement, which holds weekly White Friday protests ahead of a major rally on Nov. 30.
The activities, which include masses, noise barrages and the wearing of white ribbons, will be ‘decentralized’ across the country, Tendero said.
‘We want every person, every Filipino, to be aware that we are part of the sovereign people, speaking and standing against corruption,’ the bishop said.
To ensure public safety during these weekly demonstrations, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has begun deploying security measures as the White Friday protests kicked off yesterday.
Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has directed police commanders in Metro Manila and other regions to coordinate closely with rally organizers and prevent any repeat of the violence that marred anti-corruption rallies in Manila on Sept. 21.
‘We understand the importance of these activities for people who seek the truth, for people who seek justice, for people who call for justice amid allegations of wrongdoings involving taxpayers’ money,’ Nartatez said in a message.
He explained that the PNP has contingency plans for gatherings of various sizes and has sufficient personnel on standby to respond to emergencies.
While authorities have not detected any serious threat, Nartatez noted that the police remain proactive in monitoring potential disruptions to ensure the rallies remain peaceful.
‘While we assure the public of our active role in securing these activities, we are always ready for any eventuality, especially from those who would dare exploit these public assemblies to sow violence and openly violate the law,’ he added.