90K join November 30 protests nationwide—PNP

Around 90,000 people joined various rallies across the country on Bonifacio Day, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Sunday.

As of 5 p.m., the PNP reported that 87 protest activities had ended, while 32 others were still ongoing. A total of 55,975 individuals joined the completed gatherings, and another 35,890 participated in those still underway.

Metro Manila had the largest turnout with around 16,000 participants.

“I extend my appreciation to the organizers, marshals, and participants for exercising their rights with discipline and respect for public order,” PNP acting chief Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement.

“Your cooperation played a vital role in ensuring that today’s activities ended generally peaceful and without major incident,” he added.

Nartatez noted that a few individuals allegedly attempted to disrupt some gatherings.

“As expected in gatherings of this scale, there were isolated attempts by a few individuals to disrupt the flow of the programs,” he said.

“These were immediately addressed by our quick response teams, preventing any escalation that could endanger the public. We thank the vigilant citizens who helped alert our officers to these attempts,” he added.

According to a "24 Oras" report by Mariz Umali, the protesters at the People Power Monument from various sectors voiced out a common call —jail the corrupt and make them return the people's money they stole.

Several political figures were spotted at the rally, including:

-Akbayan Partlyist Representative Chel Diokno

-Former Senate president Franklin Drilon

-Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong

-Kamanggagawa Partylist Representative Eli San Fernando

-Former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno 

-Akbayan Partylist Perci Cendaña

-Atty. Salvador Panelo, former legal counsel of ex-President Rodrigo Duterte

-Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte

-Ballsy Aquino, daughter of former president Cory Aquino

-ML Partylist Representative Leila de Lima

-Former NEDA chief Winnie Monsod

-Senator Kiko Pangilinan

-Senator Bam Aquino

Several Filipino celebrities and personalities also joined the November 30 protests at the People Power Monument in EDSA and in Luneta.

Simultaneous protest activities were also held in the provinces.

The Philippine National Police on Sunday night said the November 30 protests against corruption held in Metro Manila and different parts of the country concluded peacefully because of rally organizers, participants, marshals, and police units who worked together to maintain order and safety, the Philippine National Police said on Sunday night.

Acting PNP chief Police Lieutenant General Jose Melecio Nartatez Jr. said the police has finished its rally dispersal operations and are now focused on securing major thoroughfares and ensuring that participants can travel home safely.—MCG/LDF, GMA Integrated News