Palace urges protesters to avoid violence in September 21 rallies

Malacañang on Friday called on groups planning to hold rallies on September 21 to keep their demonstrations peaceful and avoid violence.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said the government is preparing for possible developments during the protests marking the anniversary of the declaration of martial law.

“Hindi po ito hinahadlangan ng Pangulo ang kanilang pag-ga-gather, ang kanilang freedom of expression ay hindi po ito hahadlangan kailanman ng Pangulo,” Castro said in an interview on GMA News’ Unang Balita.

(The President is not preventing them from gathering. Their freedom of expression will never be prevented by the President.)

“Ang nais lang po sana natin, ang ating dasal ay huwag maging marahas. At kung may mga nangyari noong nakaraang taon, sana hindi po mangyari at hindi naman po sila hinahadlangan ng pamahalaan sa kanilang mga gagawing protesta,” she added.

(We just hope for, our prayer is that there will be no violence. And if there were things that happened last year, I hope they will not happen again but the government is not preventing them from protesting.)

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) are also preparing for the protests, Castro said.

The September 21 rallies will be held to commemorate the declaration of Martial Law in 1972.

Castro said authorities would observe maximum tolerance toward protesters while carrying out their duties during the demonstrations. —Joviland Rita/ VAL, GMA News