NCRPO: EDSA anniversary rallies peaceful

MANILA, Philippines -  The anti and pro-Duterte rallies held in separate locations during the celebration of the 31st anniversary of the EDSA people power revolution were peaceful and orderly, a police official said yesterday.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Oscar Albayalde said no untoward incident was recorded during the protest actions.

“I commend the organizers of the rallies as they managed to police their ranks,” Albayalde said.

Protesters at the People Power Monument in Quezon City slammed the Duterte administration for the drug killings and the arrest of Sen. Leila de Lima of the Liberal Party.

Police said at least 3,000 people joined the anti-Duterte rally that ended at 11:50 p.m. on Saturday.

Authorities said close to 500,000 people gathered in Manila’s Rizal Park to show their support for the President.

The pro-Duterte rally ended early yesterday morning, police said. 

Meanwhile, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Judy Taguiwalo said beneficiaries of the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program were not forced to attend the rally in Rizal Park.

Taguiwalo denied reports that families enrolled in the conditional cash transfer program were required to attend the rally.

“The programs of the DSWD will never be used to campaign for or against any political agenda,” she said.