The United People’s Initiative (UPI) yesterday urged the Marcos Administration to satisfactorily address allegations of widespread corruption in the government “within a reasonable and clearly defined period,” while challenging those involved in anomalies to resign.
During a rally at the People’s Power monument in EDSA, the group, composed mainly of retired military and police officers, said President Marcos should consider resigning if he fails to restore the supposedly eroded public trust in his leadership, even while it stopped short of setting a deadline for such an action.
Among them was former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Hermogenes Esperon Jr., who told reporters during the rally that many retired and active-duty military officers are dismayed by the current state of corruption.
He was joined at the event by former Philippine Coast Guard commandant Damian Carlos, several other retired generals and flag officers, as well as officers of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP).
Meanwhile, organizers assured that no “seditious statements” would be made during the rally.
“We’ve been very clear in our talks that there would be no seditious words… We’re not against the government. What we don’t want right now are the elected officials ruling the government,” UPI secretary general, retired Capt. Rey Valeros said in Filipino.
“We will stop them because there’s a way to tell the government how deep the problem is right now that isn’t seditious,” he explained when asked what would be done to participants who insist on using seditious language.
The UPI is a group composed mainly of retired military and police officials.
According to Valero, the organization invited speakers across the political spectrum and vetted them in the lead-up to the program.
For his part, PDP official Jimmy Bondoc, who helped organize the program, said, “We have taken all steps to make sure all speakers know our guidelines.”
“Many of us in our group are lawyers. So, if we detect the key words that constitute incitement, we will stop them ourselves,” he noted.
PDP is a political party chaired by former President Rodrigo Duterte.
As this developed, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has been placed on alert to respond to any acts of violence that may arise during the series of anti-corruption protests being staged by various groups, including the UPI.
“We need to be alert. We cannot discount the possibility that some parties may have a different agenda and may take advantage of this opportunity to pursue their interests,” AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Padilla said in Filipino.
Likewise, acting national police chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered the Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) to intensify its cyber patrols against online content creators, who may take advantage of the three-day assemblies to post and spread fabricated claims intended to agitate and encourage the public to violate the law.
“The presence of your Philippine National Police will not only be in the assembly areas and on the roads, but also on cyberspace to run after those who would dare to take advantage of this situation to mislead the public through fake news and fabricated claims,” he said.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “Group urges PBBM to restore public trust in government”
