The Philippine National Police (PNP) has increased the number of cops deployed in Metro Manila to guard against possible unrest as public discontent mounts over alleged corruption in government flood control projects, leading thousands to take their grievances to the streets for the Black Friday protest on Friday, Sept. 12.

From an initial count of 2,025 police personnel, the PNP has now allotted 2,500 cops to respond to any protest in the capital region as of 6 a.m. Friday. Out of the total, 950 personnel were deployed in the field while the rest remained on standby.

“Magmula sa oras na ito, wala naman nakikita na mga kaguluhan or mga malalaking grupo na nagpoprotesta (As of this time, no disturbances or large protest groups have been observed),” PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said.

At the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman in Quezon City, more than 3,000 students and employees walked out of their classes and offices for the Black Friday protest, according to the university’s student paper, Philippine Collegian. Many of them wore black shirts and hurled mud at a tarpaulin depicting an infrastructure project signboard bearing the face of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and resigned Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan.

Around 100 rallyists from the Bunyog Party also trooped in front of the Senate Building in Pasay City. They posted a tarpaulin featuring images of Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva, two senators linked to alleged anomalies in the flood control controversy, at the Senate's gate and threw eggs at it.

Despite this, Tuaño said the Black Friday protest had generally been peaceful. “Ginagarantiyahan ng PNP na nirerespeto nila ang freedom of expression ng ating mga kababayan lalo na po 'yung mga authorized peaceful assemblies (The PNP guarantees that it respects the freedom of expression of our fellow citizens, especially in authorized peaceful assemblies).”

He said cops were told to observe maximum tolerance but he also emphasized that the PNP will not allow any violation of the law.

While no major protests or violent incidents have been recorded so far, the PNP remained cautious, citing incidents in Nepal and Indonesia where corruption scandals fueled mass demonstrations that turned deadly.

“Ang hangganan ng maximum tolerance ay tinatawag na common sense din. Ang sinasabi natin dito na hindi hahayaan ng PNP na magkaroon ng gulo sa parte ng mga raliyista at mga miyembro ng PNP (The limit of maximum tolerance is also guided by common sense. What we are saying is that the PNP will not allow any harm to come from either the rallyists or PNP),” Tuaño noted.

“Ang PNP ay nandiyan upang proteksyunan ang lahat including mga mag-rarally at ‘yung ating mga motorista or bystanders na kung saan pangangalagaan including ‘yung vandalism, andiyan ‘yung mga snatching at ‘yung pagsasaayos ng trapiko. Ang PNP ay kakampi ng mga ralliysta na may mga permit na mag assemble (The PNP is there to protect everyone, including protesters, motorists, and bystanders, while also addressing concerns such as vandalism, snatching, and traffic management. The PNP stands as an ally of rallyists who have permits to assemble),” he added.

Meanwhile, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said it is currently under a heightened alert in preparation for a bigger rally slated on Sept. 21, which will coincide with the commemoration of the martial law under the late dictator, President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

“Based sa monitoring, wala tayong inaasahan na kaguluhan or karasahan kagaya ng inaasahan or ‘yung takot na nararamdaman natin kasi nga may mga napapanood tayo sa social media dahil sa nangyari sa ibang bansa, sa Nepal, sa Indonesia kung saan naging marahas sila, may mga pagsusunog at may mga karahasan at may mga namatay (Based on monitoring, we are not expecting any disturbances or violence like the fears being spread, especially from what we see on social media about events in other countries such as Nepal and Indonesia, where protests turned violent, with incidents of arson, unrest, and even deaths),” NCRPO spokesperson Major Hazel Asilo said.

The NCRPO said protesters are not banned from wearing masks reportedly to hide their identities during the Sept. 21 protest.

However, the police said rallyists should be aware of what not to do during their protest such as carrying firearms, bladed weapons, and resorting to vandalism.