Police Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao, officer-in-charge of the Philippine National Police (PNP) called for sobriety amid planned rallies to protest the outcome of the May 9 elections.
A rally has actually started on Tuesday, May 10, in front of the Commission on Elections main office in Intramuros, Manila where protesters are demanding explanation on election glitches during the election day.
Calls for protest actions were also posted in social media as some of the netizens are claiming electoral fraud. .
"We have been receving some many reports of sort of rallies but actually we do not really quantify on this matter. All of us have our rights to express grievances especially on the just-concluded electoral process," said Danao in a press briefing on Tuesday.
"Let us always exercise sobriety. Nakikiusap po ako na medyo magpkahinahon po tayo. Pagbigyan po natin yung resulta ng boto (let us respect the result of the voting)," he added.
But even if there are reports of planned protest actions, Danao said the PNP will continue to exercise maximum tolerance.
He said the PNP will respect the right of the people to air their grievances for as long as it would not resort to violence and destruction of properties.
"It is normal to lose. Instead of igniting to really join rallies let us accept and let the mandate of the Filipino people prevail. Let us put everything in proper perspective and in proper place," said Danao.
"If you start hurting people and start throwing stones to any property, destroying government property or any property, that is the start that the police will come after you," he stressed.
Danao earlier warned groups individuals and groups not to take advantage of the election result to initiate destabilization efforts, saying the PNP is always ready to thwart this attempt.