Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr., acting chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), lauded all the policemen deployed to secure the anti-corruption rallies in Metro Manila for the efficient implementation of security measures that led to the peaceful and orderly conduct of the assemblies.

Nartatez praised the professionalism and restraint displayed by police officers throughout the duration of the mobilization as he noted peaceful and orderly with zero reported incident two-day rallies at the Quirino Grandstand where the crowd reached more than 600,000.

“The PNP leadership commends our police officers who have shown professionalism amid the protest. Our police officers acted in accordance with the law and in line with the directive to enforce maximum tolerance at all times,” said Nartatez.

He also acknowledged smooth coordination between rally organizers and deployed units as police officers maintained maximum tolerance, resulting in calm crowd movement and no major security concerns.

Nartatez then expressed gratitude to the INC for deciding to end the supposed three-day assembly on its second day, and for the cooperation and assistance to make the two-day rally safe for all its members and attendees.

“The cooperation showed by INC organizers allowed our police officers to perform their duties effectively and efficiently, while fully respecting the public’s right to assemble and the right to freedom of expression. This is proof of what we can achieve if we respect one another and work together to ensure the welfare of everybody,” said Nartatez.

The protest, which began on November 16 and was supposed to end on November 18, was concluded on just its second day after rally organizers said their goal of sending the message to call for justice, accountability, transparency, and peace amid the alleged corruption in the government had been achieved.

Nartatez highlighted that the PNP’s preparedness is based on experience and careful planning.

“I want to emphasize, we are prepared. This preparation is not based on guesswork. It is grounded in actual experience, lessons learned from the past, and a clear understanding of the scale and scope of such gatherings,” said Nartatez.

A total of 605,975 participants were recorded by the PNP on the second day of the protest. The bulk of this was recorded at the Quirino Grandstand, numbering to 600,000 INC members.

Meanwhile, around 4,710 protesters from different groups were monitored at the EDSA People Power Monument in Quezon City; Kartilya ng Katipunan in Ermita, Manila; and Mendiola.

Outside Metro Manila, there were an estimated 1,260 protesters from various organizations that staged mass demonstrations in Central Luzon (Region 3), Calabarzon (Region 4A), Western Visayas (Region 6), Central Visayas (Region 7), Eastern Visayas (Region 8), and Davao (Region 11).