By Marita Moaje
MANILA – Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla assured the public that the Philippine National Police (PNP) is prepared to handle looming protest rallies in relation to anomalous flood control projects.
In an interview during the launch of the Unified 911 Systems in Manila on Thursday, Remulla said the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the PNP already held meetings and command conferences in case such protests push through.
He said security forces are ready to manage possible protest actions to safeguard the public, while respecting the constitutional right to peaceful assembly.
“Nagkaroon na naman kami ng command conference, and all contingencies have been considered. Pero ang operative place namin is people want accountability but not instability. So we will prevent the instability… Kung meron silang permit, may freedom to assemble. (We have had a command conference again, and all contingencies have been considered. But our operative place is people want accountability but not instability. So we will prevent the instability… If they have a permit, they have freedom to assemble),” Remulla said.
“Our directive to the police is to be present, patient, and to practice maximum tolerance while respecting the sentiments of the people,” he added.
Remulla stressed that the government will not block demonstrations as long as they remain peaceful, noting that suppressing public expression could aggravate tensions.
PNP acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., likewise, assured that the police have readied contingency and security plans nationwide, adding that they are closely monitoring developments.
He said that coordination between different units is in place to ensure that mass actions will not escalate into violence.
“We have already our security plan for dispersal or crowd management and for security. Meron na tayong mga (We already have) security plan that had been set. And then we have also our information, so this is the basis for any operation. And continuously we are monitoring the peace and order and safety in Metro Manila, not only Metro Manila but nationwide,” Nartatez said.
While authorities acknowledged concerns over unrest similar to protests in Indonesia and Nepal, Remulla expressed confidence that demonstrations would be held peacefully.
“Ang mga Pilipino naman, hindi ganyan. Even at our worst, hindi tayo nanununog ng lugar. Pero, siyempre, all [things] considered, we will be prepared naman. Pero, sa tingin ko, hindi aabot (Filipinos are not like that. Even at our worst, we do not burn down places. But, of course, all [things] considered, we will be prepared. But, in my opinion, it will not come to that),” he said. (PNA)
