Nartatez lauds cops, organizers for 'generally peaceful' People Power anniversary, Trillion Peso March
photo: PNP
Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr., chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), lauded all the policemen who took part in securing what he described as generally peaceful and orderly celebration of the EDSA People Power Revolution and the holding of the Trillion Peso March.
At the same time, Nartatez expressed gratitude to the organizers of the two events for full cooperation in ensuring that no untoward incident would affect the programs that they prepared.
“The EDSA anniversary and Trillion Peso March have concluded without any major untoward incident. Overall, the activities were generally peaceful. We express gratitude to the organizers of the event for helping us in ensuring the peaceful conduct of their activities,” said Nartatez.
“We also recognize the professionalism, restraint, and dedication of our policemen who exercised maximum tolerance throughout the duration of the activities,” he added.
More than 13,000 policemen were deployed to secure the two events, most of them were deployed as early as Tuesday night.
The attendees reached 6,000 at the the EDSA Shrine and the People Power Monument.
Police Brig. Gen. Ponce Rogelio Peñones, Jr., head of the PNP Directorate for Operations, said the police have been very accommodating to avoid unnecessary clashes with protesters.
"There are some groups that did not have a permit, but I said that the directive of our PNP chief is still there, maximum tolerance, let's still give them what they have given, express their opinions, provided they should not cause trouble," said Peñones.
While there was an incident of a handful of unruly protesters that resulted in the injury of seven policemen, Nartatez said it did not affect the overall security and safety measures during the events.
At least seven policemen were hurt when some of the unruly protesters started throwing stones at them.
Peñones said at least two persons were arrested, adding that they will be charged with direct assault, resistance and disobedience to authority, alarm and scandal and violation of the Batasang Pambansa 880.
Nartatez said the smooth conduct of both the EDSA People Power Revolution anniversary and Trillion Peso March demonstrated the cooperation between organizers, participants, and police forces in promoting safe and disciplined public gatherings.
"This successful collaboration is a testament to our maturity as a nation. We have proven that we can exercise our democratic rights and voice our sentiments while maintaining mutual respect for the law and the safety of our fellow citizens," Nartatez said.