President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday called on demonstrators planning protest actions on November 30, Bonifacio Day, to remain peaceful, urging demonstrators to avoid provocative actions that could lead to violence or disrupt public safety.
Meanwhile, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Sunday said that they are still preparing and monitoring groups and areas for the Nov.30 protests to avoid facing the same riot that erupted during the Sept. 21 rally in Manila.
In an interview in Busan, South Korea, the President said the projected rallies on Nov. 30 are not a cause for concern, but cautioned against agitators who might attempt to stir trouble during the demonstrations.
“What demonstrator goes to a demonstration with Molotov cocktails that are not intending to cause trouble or to hurt people? Those are the people that we are worried about. And those are the people that we are watching out for,” Marcos said.
He also urged agitators to refrain from resorting to violence during protests, noting that such actions often lead to injuries among both demonstrators and law enforcers.
“Get that out of your mind. You’re going to cause trouble. Nothing will happen. You’ll just get hurt. Your friends will get hurt sometimes. The police have nothing to do with it,” the Chief Executive said.
Marcos also said he acknowledged the public’s anger over reports of corruption linked to government flood-control projects, emphasizing that ‘funds were supposed to go to the people to feed them and to make their lives better’.
In August, President Marcos launched the “Sumbong sa Pangulo” website, providing citizens with a direct channel to report substandard or non-existent infrastructure projects in their communities.
On September 21, demonstrators organized a nationwide protest against government corruption, in response to alleged mind-boggling kickbacks involving lawmakers and officials in flood control infrastructure projects.
“We are ready and continue to prepare for the November 30 Trillion Peso March,” NCRPO spokesperson, Maj. Hazel Asilo said during a televised interview on Super Radyo DZBB.
“Today, we have intensified the monitoring, especially the monitoring of social media because that is where we have seen that the youth are encouraged,” she added.
Asilo said at least 216 individuals, including 89 minors, were arrested after violence broke out during the protest against corruption in relation to the alleged anomalous flood control projects.
The Nov. 30 nationwide Trillion Peso March was organized by some sectors to demand accountability, return of stolen public funds, and full transparency.
The NCRPO official also said it may extend the full alert status in preparation for post-Undas travel and Tropical Storm Tino.
“But for our fellow citizens returning home, their trips might be extended until tomorrow. That’s what we’ll be monitoring, which is why we’re on full alert,” Asilo said.
“That will depend on whether we see the need to extend it further or if there are still citizens we need to assist, especially since a typhoon is also approaching,” she added.
