PNP urges protesters to hold Labor Day rallies peacefully

April 30, 2019

The Philippine National Police ( PNP) on Tuesday said they encourage free speech but tells public not to do acts of vandalism during Labor Day protest.

“What we encourage is the freedom to express the thoughts of our workers in a peaceful and orderly manner,” PNP spokesperson Colonel Bernard Banac said in a press briefing.

“Do not do vandalism. Do not paint (walls). Do not leave your trash in the streets. That is what we want to remind so that we can keep the public order and safety of all,” he added.

Banac said instigators are common during these events to cause trouble and provoke police officers.

“We always exercise maximum tolerance. As much as possible, we will let them, we allow them to the point that (if) our policemen get hurt and if it becomes too much they need to take action for the sake of the public,” he said.

He asked protestors to not hurt enforcers as their intention is to maintain peace.

“We are here to serve even protesters. We will secure them. That’s why we are there but not to the point that you will hurt them. Let’s avoid those kinds of things,” said Banac.

He reminded the public to remain vigilant if they are joining protests and if possible not to join at all.

Police Major General Guillermo Eleazar, the National Capital Region director, said they are  set to secure the coming 117th Labor Day anniversary where about 8,423 policemen will be posted strategically in places of convergence and vital installations.

They are expecting the event to be marred with rallies and demonstrations from different groups, particularly on the labor side which will urge to end contractualization, improve working conditions and grant salary increases.

Other threat groups might take advantage of the occasion, police said.

Eleazar said they are not the enemies of rallyists as he assured them the NCRPO is ready to secure the public and ''guarantee that your police force will deal with those who will conduct rallies with maximum tolerance and outmost respect for human rights". Ella Dionisio/DMS