Interior and Local Government Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla on Monday commended Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel for exercising maximum tolerance in the face of violent protesters in Mendiola, Manila last Sunday, in accordance with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive.
Remulla acknowledged the PNP personnel’s professionalism at the expense of their own safety in order to safeguard Malacañang amid provocations from violent protesters.
“I would like to commend the PNP for their performance yesterday. They acted according to law. They acted according to instructions,” Remulla said in a press briefing in Malacañang.
“Nakakaawa po ang mga pulis natin – binuhusan ng tubig galing sa kanal, binato ng hollow block, binugbog at binato ng molotov cocktail, nasusunog sa tabi nila,” Remulla said.
“Pero ganoon pa man, walang ginamit na dahas laban sa mga rallyista.”
Remulla said the PNP followed the President’s explicit directive to act with maximum tolerance, adding that the 4,000 policemen who were deployed to secure the rally site around Malacañang did not carry firearms nor teargas.
The DILG chief also debunked rumors that someone died due to the violence.
“None of the protesters were seriously hurt. I repeat, none. By seriously (hurt), I mean that they would have to be hospitalized. The police got hurt more than the protesters, and that is something notable to everyone,” Remulla stressed.
“Only when the mob were throwing molotov cocktails did the police push back. When rocks were thrown, you could shield yourself but molotov cocktails crossed the line, that can cause death,” the DILG chief pointed out.
Remulla reported that 216 individuals, including 89 minors, were arrested as the police subdued the violent protest action.
He said 65 of the arrested minors were ages 15 to 17, while 24 of them were ages 14 and younger.
Meanwhile, 95 PNP personnel were injured, with some sustaining serious injuries that required medical attention, Remulla added.
The nationwide protest was generally peaceful but was marred by violence after “a group of 1,000 hooligans who wanted nothing but to spread anarchy” joined, said Remulla.
Meanwhile, PNP Acting Chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the PNP deployed about 50,000 personnel nationwide, half of them in Metro Manila.
The PNP estimated about a combined number of about 84,000 individuals joined the nationwide protests. | PND
