DILG’s Remulla says Chavit Singson’s remarks not inciting to sedition

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro on Monday called on the Department of Justice, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the Philippine National Police to look into business magnate Chavit Singson's remarks urging students to boycott classes in protest against corruption, but the DILG said his remarks did not amount to inciting to sedition.

''Kanina sa tanong patungkol kay Chavit Singson, ang gusto po ng Pangulo ay managot ang lahat ng maaaring managot at lahat ng maaaring sangkot sa marahas na nangyari. Iilan lamang pero naging marahas ang ilan sa naging rally nitong Linggo. So, tayo na po ang makikiusap sa pamunuan po especially kay Secretary Jonvic Remulla, kay Acting PNP Chief General Nartatez Jr. and, of course, sa DOJ na busisiin mismo ang mga sinabi ni Mr. Chavit Singson,'' Castro said in a Palace briefing.

(Regarding the question about Chavit Singson, the President wants those behind the violent protest action to be held accountable. There were not a lot, but some became violent at a rally last Sunday. So, we personally call on Secretary Jonvic Remulla, Acting PNP chief Police Lieutenant General Nartatez Jr., and of course, the DOJ to scrutinize the remarks of Mr. Chavit Singson.)

''Dahil doon, inakit niya ang mga kabataan especially high school students, college students at karamihan dito malamang ay mga menor de edad upang malaman nila... at inanyayahan nito na huwag pumasok sa eskuwelahan,'' she added.

(He encouraged the youth, especially high school students and college students, to not attend their classes.)

In the same briefing, DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla was asked if Singson's remarks could be considered as inciting to sedition.

''Hindi naman [Not really],'' Remulla said.

''We’re happy that he asked the youth to come out kasi iyon nga iyong purpose noon eh [because that is the purpose of the rallies], to hear their grievances,'' he said.

Singson, a former Ilocos Sur governor, had urged students across the country to boycott their classes to show protest against the government over billions-worth of anomalies in flood control projects.

Meanwhile, Castro also slammed Singson for claiming that First Lady Louise ''Liza'' Araneta-Marcos was behind the masked rioters in Manila. 

''Malaking kasinungalingan! Huwag nilang ipahid ang mga gawain nilang kriminal kay First Lady Liza Marcos. Siya pa ba ang magpapagawa ng pananakit sa mga kapulisan para makabuo ng tensyon malapit sa Malacañang? Mag-isip-isip naman sila,'' she said in a separate statement. 

(A huge lie! They should not smear the First Lady with their criminal acts. Would she really be behind the attacks on police officers to create tension near Malacañang? They should use their brains.)

Protest actions were held in various parts of Metro Manila as the public decried irregularities and corruption in flood control projects.

The demonstrations, however, had gone violent in Manila after protesters, including minors, threw rocks, destroyed properties, and burned tires. — BM, GMA Integrated News