PNP prepared to secure another major protest

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police is prepared to secure another Trillion Peso March should organizers push through with a third mass protest amid calls for the arrest of so-called “big fish” in the flood control scam, acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said yesterday.

Nartatez said police units, particularly in Metro Manila, handle an average of three rallies a day by various groups, making the PNP accustomed to large mobilizations.

“We welcome the expression of sentiments and the freedom of expression,” he said at a briefing in Camp Crame.

He added, however, that rights must be exercised responsibly and “end when they invade the rights of others.”

He said the PNP continues to improve security operations and has the resources to respond to both large and small mobilizations.

“The PNP is always ready. After all, that is our commitment, the service we provide,” he said.

At least 90,000 people joined 119 anti-corruption protests across the country on Sunday, based on police estimates.

The PNP documented at least 12 major assemblies in Metro Manila, including around 1,500 participants at the People Power Monument, 3,000 in the San Sebastian-Recto area, 700 along EDSA-Connecticut and several smaller groups ranging from dozens to several hundred.

Nartatez noted that the police are balancing crowd management with the ongoing effort to locate and arrest suspects in the overpriced flood control projects.

He said thousands of wanted persons remain at large nationwide, aside from those linked to the scam.

Nartatez stressed that anti-corruption reforms were being pursued even before the recent protest actions, citing President Marcos’ veto of questionable budget insertions and his public pronouncements in the 2025 State of the Nation Address.

“That is exactly what the President and the government are doing, responding to what our people are calling for,” he said.

Following the peaceful conduct of the Nov. 30 rallies, Nartatez said the PNP would downgrade its alert status from full alert to heightened alert by 5 p.m. yesterday.

He also reported progress in cases stemming from the Sept. 21 protests that turned violent, with more than 200 individuals charged with violations of Batas Pambansa 880, arson, physical injuries and inciting to sedition.

“Some of these cases are already in court,” he said, noting that the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the Manila Police District led the filing of complaints.

According to Kidapawan Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, one of the convenors of the Trillion Peso March, a third leg could be launched if no corrupt officials are jailed soon.

“Will we have a third TPM? I hope not,” Bagaforo said in a text message to reporters.

Kiko Aquino Dee, convenor of Tindig Pilipinas, which is part of the Trillion Peso March, said they will watch out for the Dec. 15 deadline set by the government to lock up flood control culprits, although he admitted that “when it comes to the bigger fish, there seems to be a lot of back and forth.”

House Speaker Faustino Dy III, for his part, said congressmen and even House employees can be instruments of “national healing,” now that indictments on the flood control mess has commenced.

“We can very well stand and rebuild a Congress that is very true, pro-people, patriotic and who will genuinely serve the instruments of the public,” he said during yesterday’s flag-raising ceremony.

DOE chief: I would have marched

If she wasn’t currently serving in the Cabinet, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said she would have taken to the streets to protest the massive corruption in government.

Despite this, Garin assured the public that no government funds are being squandered at her agency, emphasizing that the energy sector is largely driven by private sector investments.

“That’s (corruption) really affecting our economy, the trust in the government. I’ve been in Congress for so long and I’ve never seen anything similar to this news,” Garin told reporters yesterday. “People pay their taxes every month diligently, then you’ll see that there are suitcases and there are ghost projects,” the former lawmaker noted, referring to allegations that billions of flood-control funds were delivered in suitcases. At the Department of Energy, Garin said they would ensure that right policies are firmly in place and that private-sector projects are closely monitored to guarantee they deliver on their commitments.

Graffiti in Manila

Meanwhile, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso slammed the defacement of areas near the city hall following the anti-corruption rallies held in Luneta on Bonifacio Day.

The text “Oust Marcos-Duterte” was seen sprayed on the wall of the underpass near the Manila city hall along Padre Burgos Street, according to photos shared by Domagoso on Faceboook.

Also vandalized with graffiti were structures found on top of the Lagusnilad as well as the center island with the text “F*** corap (sic)” and “ACAB” or “all cops are bastards.”

The said areas were vandalized anew despite the city government’s earlier warnings not to spoil public sites, according to Domagoso. — Brix Lelis, Evelyn Macairan, Ghio Ong, Delon Porcalla, EJ Macababbad