Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Monday, Sept. 22, urged the public to remain calm and respect democratic institutions following the massive anti-corruption protests over the weekend, where isolated incidents of violence were reported.

Teodoro, in a radio interview, said the major September 21 protests held at Luneta Park in Manila and People Power Monument in Quezon City showed widespread public demand for accountability in the investigation of alleged flood control anomalies but stressed that the vast majority of demonstrators were peaceful.

“Talagang umaasa ang mga tao na lalabas na ang katotohanan tungkol sa pag-iimbestiga nitong mga flood control anomalies ano. At ‘yung karamihan sa mga raliyista ano, I'd say about more than 98 percent, 99 percent naging matahimik (People are really hoping that the truth will come out regarding the investigation into these flood control anomalies. And the majority of the rallyists, I’d say about more than 98 percent, 99 percent, remained peaceful),” he said.

He, however, expressed concern over violent actions by some groups of youth participants at Ayala Bridge and Mendiola in Manila. A total of 216 protesters were arrested while 95 cops were injured due to the violent protests.

“Ngayon, sa internal security ang nakababahala lang po itong mga kabataan na napakabayolente kahapon. Naawa po ako at lumalabas po ang simpatya ko sa ating mga kapatid na pulis na nasaktan kahapon (Now, regarding internal security, what worries me are the youths who were very violent yesterday. I feel sympathy for our fellow police officers who were hurt),” Teodoro noted.

“Ito po ay isang issue ng national security kung ganoon na po ang kabataan. Kung saan nila napupulot ito, ito'y dapat tumbukin kaagad at maremedyohan. Kasi nakita naman po natin na hooliganism na ho ‘yung nangyayari at may menor de edad na sumama. So, ito po ang nakababahala talaga sa akin ano (This is a national security issue if our young people are picking up this behavior. It must be addressed immediately and remedied. What we witnessed was hooliganism, and minors joined in. So this is what truly concerns me),” he added.

A trailer truck was set on fire by rallyists, mostly young people, at Ayala Bridge while others threw rocks, paint mixed with urine, and human waste at cops guarding the pathway leading to the Malacañan Palace.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla had said there were reports he received that the protesters attempted to breach the police blockade to burn Malacañan Palace, similar to protests in Indonesia and Nepal where Gen Z protesters set on fire government leaders’ houses and government institutions.

In Mendiola, protesters, mostly clad in black and wearing masks on their faces, threw Molotov bombs and rocks, set several motorcycles on fire, burglarized a hotel and took some cash, and destroyed public properties.

"Mayhem ang tawag po dyan sa penal law eh (That's what we call mayhem in penal law)," Teodoro said.

Meanwhile, Teodoro also addressed calls by some retired generals for active troops to join protest actions and withdraw their support for the government.

Teodoro was firm that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) must stay focused on its constitutional duties.

“Anong gusto nilang gawin ng ating armed forces at other uniformed services? Na umaklas? Eh hindi po pupwede ‘yun eh, at hindi po ayon sa ating Saligang Batas. At ang history nagtuturo sa atin kapag may interventions ang ating armed forces hindi po nagiging stable ang ating society (What do they want our Armed Forces and other uniformed services to do? To revolt? That is not possible, and it is not in accordance with our Constitution. History teaches us that whenever our Armed Forces intervene, our society does not become stable),” he said.

He emphasized that dialogue with uniformed personnel and retirees remains open, particularly on welfare and pension concerns, but underscored that protests must not threaten public order.