Malacañang on Sunday condemned the violence that broke out in Mendiola and at Ayala Bridge in Manila, stressing that the group behind the unrest were not genuine demonstrators but hired agitators.
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the masked individuals who torched a container truck, hurled rocks, and threw Molotov cocktails were not exercising free speech.
“Hindi ito raliyista. Mga tulisan ito, eh,” Castro told News5 in an interview. She added that the violence seemed orchestrated with the intent to destabilize the government. “Mukhang gusto nilang pabagsakin ang gobyerno.”
The official admitted she has suspicions about who ordered the disruptions but refrained from naming names. “Ako, personal, may naiisip ako pero hindi ko pwedeng i-reveal kung sino ang nasa isip ko… Wala namang gagawa niyan kung wala namang mag-uutos,” she said.
Castro insisted the violence was far from spontaneous. “Planado ‘yan. Definitely planado ‘yan… Sabihin natin, alam ko lahat ‘yan ay bayaran,” she declared, calling the masked attackers “masamang elemento.”
She emphasized that while the Philippine National Police (PNP) had been instructed by the President to exercise “maximum tolerance,” those responsible must still face arrest and investigation. “Nakita niyo naman ang kapulisan kahit binabato na wala pang ginagawa kasi yun ang gusto ng Pangulo—maximum tolerance,” she explained.
On the involvement of minors, Castro said the Department of Social Welfare and Development should step in to identify parents and hold them accountable. “Kailangan pumasok ang social welfare dito, alamin kung sino magulang ng mga ‘yan,” she noted.
Ending her remarks, Castro appealed to Filipinos not to allow themselves to be used by those stirring violence. “Tayo na po, mga kababayan natin, itong mga ganitong klaseng tao dapat sinusupil, pinapahinto. Magtulungan po tayo,” she urged.
