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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider AFP to keep an eye on violent rallies ala Nepal, Indonesia

AFP to keep an eye on violent rallies ala Nepal, Indonesia

Published Sep 17, 2025 02:32 pm

At A Glance

  • The Philippine military will keep an eye on the Sept. 21 anti-corruption rally as it expressed concern that protesters might tear a page from the violent rallies that transpired in Indonesia and Nepal.
Progressive groups stage a protest march from EDSA Shrine to the EDSA People Power Monument on Sept. 13, 2025, calling for accountability over corruption in flood control projects. (John Louie Abrina)
Progressive groups stage a protest march from EDSA Shrine to the EDSA People Power Monument on Sept. 13, 2025, calling for accountability over corruption in flood control projects. (John Louie Abrina)
The Philippine military will keep an eye on the Sept. 21 anti-corruption rally as it expressed concern that protesters might tear a page from the violent rallies that transpired in Indonesia and Nepal.
General Romeo Brawner, chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), said Wednesday, Sep. 17, that they are now coordinating with the Philippine National Police (PNP) for the deployment of forces that will ensure peace during the weekend.
"Binabantayan natin (We are monitoring it), and we are hoping that the rally that will happen this Sept. 21 will not be violent, dahil baka po ma-inspire, na-inspire ang ibang kababayan sa nangyari sa Indonesia and sa Nepal (because some of our countrymen will be or might be inspired by the occurrences in Indonesia and Nepal)," Brawner said during House Committee on National Defense and Security hearing.
The AFP is monitoring three groups, according to Brawner.
These are the group composed of "communist terrorists"; the Hakbang ng Maisug group, whose members or supporters of the Dutertes; and a combination of various groups composed of members of the academe, retired uniformed personnel, clergy, and the civil society organization.
"Ang binabantayan po natin, na sana hindi mangyari, yung masingitan yung mga nagrarally (What we are monitoring, and we hope it will not happen, is the possible infiltration of non-legitimate protesters)," he said.
"While we believe that the intention is to have a peaceful rally, but then there are possibilities of groups trying to come in and harm the rallyists or the protesters," Brawner added.
Brawner said that while the military respects the people's right to protest, it will ensure that demonstrations will be peaceful.
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