The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Tuesday the ‘peaceful’ Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) rally was a ‘stark contrast’ to violent incidents during the Sept. 21 anti-corruption protests.
‘The PNP considered the INC rally peaceful and orderly with zero reported incidents,’ acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement.
‘This was a stark contrast to the September 21 rally in Manila, where hundreds were arrested and several individuals were injured. This improved outcome [was due] to clearer coordination, better preparation, and the steady presence of trained personnel on the ground,’ he added.
The violence during the Sept. 21 anti-corruption rallies erupted at the Ayala Bridge and the Mendiola Peace Arch, both of which were near Malacañang Palace.
Police arrested over 200 individuals-several of whom were minors-and at least two reportedly died during the riots, prompting human rights groups to condemn law enforcement for allegedly not exercising ‘maximum tolerance.’
The INC ended its rally Monday night, saying its members ‘did not need’ three days to call for ‘transparency and a better democracy.’ The protest was originally set to run until Tuesday.
The crowd at the INC rally reached a peak of 600,000 attendees at around 6 p.m. Monday, according to the Manila Police District.
The PNP previously said it deployed over 16,000 police officers and raised a full alert status to secure the rally.
The protests were spurred by alleged corruption involving flood control and other infrastructure projects.