The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) held a preparatory meeting on Thursday to ensure a coordinated and proactive response to any untoward incidents that could happen during the upcoming rallies from Nov. 16 to 18.
Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon told reporters that the discussion during the meeting was about the availability of prosecutors ready to handle cases, specifically to conduct inquest proceedings, in the event of disruptions or violence similar to the Sept. 21 incident.
‘We just have to make sure that we’re prepared for any eventuality. We do not want to be complacent and just be reactive when it actually happens. We want everything to be sorted out even before it happens,’ Fadullon said.
Fadullon said key areas discussed are Manila and Quezon City, the venue for the gatherings, and where permits had reportedly been applied for.
Primarily, he said, involvement of the DOJ is through the prosecutors who would be on high alert to receive and process cases filed against individuals involved in any violence or disruption.
‘The discussion here was for the preparation needed to be done by our prosecutors in the event that there will be any disruptions or any violence that may happen, similar to what happened in [the past],’ Fadullon explained.
Aside from DOJ officials, the meeting was also attended by high-level PNP officials, specifically those from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG). The CIDG’s presence is aimed at augmenting the work of investigators.
The scheduled three-day rally of Iglesia Ni Cristo at the EDSA Shrine and Quirino Grandstand is a call for transparency and accountability.