DILG chief Remulla to police: Respect people’s sentiments

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday said all contingencies are in place should unrest erupt in the Philippines, similar to the protests that recently gripped Nepal and Indonesia. Both countries have seen waves of demonstrations in recent weeks, with citizens taking to the streets over allegations of corruption and government misconduct.

But DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla stressed that he does not expect the Philippines to descend into the same scenario. While recognizing the public’s constitutional right to peaceful assembly, he emphasized that authorities will ensure demonstrations do not escalate into instability.

“Ang operative phrase namin is people want accountability but not instability, so we will prevent the instability na mangyari nasa maximum tolerance kami,” Remulla said.

“We understand that people have grievances, and it is nothing to take advantage of. Kung meron naman silang permit may freedom to assemble lahat ng mga nakasaad sa saligang batas ay gagampanan naman namin para sa kanila.”

He directed the police to remain sensitive to public grievances and respond with calmness and patience. According to him, the order is clear: “to be present, to be patient, and to have maximum tolerance and to respect the sentiments of the people.”

“We respond to everything with the same seriousness pero siyempre kung may mass actions na ganyan may mass protest we have to be sensitive to the grievances of the people, kailangan may outlet yan the more you suppress them the worse it gets so hayaan na hayaan na natin wala tayong pipigilan diyan but we also expect it to be peaceful and non-aggressive,” he added.

Remulla reiterated that the government will not suppress peaceful protests, but authorities will step in to prevent violence and maintain order. — BM, GMA Integrated News