The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) reported Monday that demonstrations held in Makati City on Saturday night remained generally peaceful.
In a televised interview Monday, NCRPO Public Information Office Chief Police Major Hazel Asilo said the protest held in Dasmariñas Village in Makati from Sunday night until dawn on Monday ended without any untoward incident.
To ensure safety of the public amid reports since Friday that such demonstrations will happen more than once, Asilo said the NCRPO has been deploying personnel in potential protest sites including Mendiola, Liwasang Bonifacio, the U.S. Embassy, Department of Public Works and Highways, and Malacañang Park.
As of Monday, there were 1,131 civil disturbance management (CDM) personnel on standby with the police anticipating possible “lightning rallies” as classes were suspended due to an increase in influenza-like illnesses among students and school staff.
Asilo added that the demonstrations held were organized through social media posts, noting that there were no formal coordination or rally permits filed with local authorities.
“As of now, no one is coordinating with us because these rallies were merely called through announcements, and there were no permits indicating where they would be held. Their call is only through social media to gather, so in terms of coordination on who the commander is, we have no one to talk to who really leads them during their gatherings,” she said.
The NCRPO reminded the public not to join protests in private subdivisions without necessary permits, warning that those who participate could face complaints, arrest, or imprisonment.
She also emphasized that the presence of law enforcers in the exclusive villages was not for the purpose to protect specific personalities but to prevent disorders.
“What we are protecting is the community, our fellow countrymen, who may be affected by their protests and demonstrations.”
She further clarified that the presence of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) personnel are positioned only as support in case arresting officers are needed since CDM personnel are unarmed.
The demonstration stemmed from social media posts by Congressman Kiko Barzaga. NCRPO Director Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin earlier said enough law enforcers would be in the area to “arrest a mob number 100,” regardless of whether reports of the planned protest surfacing social media were validated.