The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) downplayed fears that the Philippines could see violent demonstrations similar to those in Nepal, where rallies have turned deadly.
“Ah hindi! Ang mag Pilipino naman hindi ganyan. Even at our worst, hindi tayo nanununog ng [gusali]. Pero syempre we will be prepared naman. Pero sa tingin ko hindi aabot dyan,” DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said on Thursday.
He confirmed that a command conference had been held to prepare for possible anti-corruption protests, noting unrest in Indonesia and Nepal has already claimed lives. Still, he stressed that while Filipinos demand accountability, they generally reject instability.
“All contingencies have been considered…. People want accountability but not instability. Nasa maximum tolerance kami. We understand people have grievances,” he said, adding that police were ordered “to be present, to be patient, to have maximum tolerance and to respect the sentiments” of protesters.
Remulla emphasized that the right to assemble would be respected: “Hayaan na natin, mag-protest sila kung gusto nila, wala kaming pipigilan diyan pero we also expect it to be peaceful.”
Meanwhile, Philippine National Police (PNP) acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the force is monitoring the situation closely and has a security plan in place. “We have already our security plan for dispersal or crowd management and for security,” he said in Manila. “Nagpi-prepare tayo diyan.”
As of Thursday afternoon, groups including Tindig Pilipinas, Nagkaisa, Kalipunan ng Kilusang Masa, and Siklab were staging a protest at the EDSA Shrine to denounce alleged corruption in flood control projects.
