Vows to enforce rule of law amid efforts to disrupt proclamation

PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Officer-in-Charge, Lieutenant General Vicente D. Danao Jr. on Monday led the force in congratulating newly-proclaimed President-elect Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. and Vice President-elect Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio as he vowed to fully enforce the ‘rule of law’ when it comes to addressing future anti-government protest actions.

“First, in behalf of the 225,000-strong officers and men of the Philippine National Police, let me extend my sincerest congratulations to President-elect Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. and Vice-President Elect, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio on their official proclamation as the duly elected President and Vice President respectively of the Republic of the Philippines,” the top cop said in his message during the flag-raising rites at Camp Crame.

“After managing to ensure the most peaceful, secured, accurate and fair Philippine national and local election in recent history with the help of our counterparts, the candidates and the public, we at the Philippine National Police assure the next administration of our continuing all-out support to its programs as we continue to perform our duty to serve and protect the Filipino people.

We are fully ready to ensure the smooth transition of power to President-elect Bongbong Marcos Jr. from President Duterte as we remain ever faithful and loyal to the Constitution, the Flag, and the duly constituted authorities in dispensing our law enforcement and public safety duty. That is our word to the people,” the PNP-OIC said.

NCRPO, QCPD COMMENDED FOR STANDING GROUND ON PROTESTERS

Lt. Gen. Danao also commended the men and women of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) under Major Gen. Felipe R. Navitidad and the Quezon City Police District headed by Brigadier Gen. Remus B. Medina in particular for standing their ground and seeing to it that the rule of law will be followed when protesters tried to disrupt the proclamation rites in Batasan Pambansa on Wednesday last week.

“ We always say that the PNP is an apolitical organization but when the people have already spoken and have given a landslide victory to the incoming president and vice-president, we need to say our piece and do our job.

Yes, we always observe maximum tolerance in dealing with protesters and assure everybody that their right to air their grievance in public will be protected at all times. However, when people who have no other intention but to undermine the government start to break the rules, start to violate the agreements we made, start to trample upon the rights of others and start to transgress the law in front of our faces, we have to act, and act with dispatch and firm resolve,” he said.

He cited the group of unruly protesters who tried to disrupt the proclamation as they repeatedly taunted QCPD Civil Disturbance Management personnel with unsavory words.

“Our men, many of them proud husbands, fathers and brothers to all, did not mind them.

However, when they tried to leave the Liwasang Diokno at the CHR compound and attempted to march towards Batasan Pambansa, our men have to do their job,” he said.

Lt. Gen. Danao said that different videos have shown that the fire department merely doused the protesters with water. However, despite being soaked, the protesters kicked and waggled the shields of the CDM personnel sparking a brief scuffle.

“It was evident that they were harassing our policemen who were merely doing their job but to their credit, the NCRPO and QCPD personnel really acted with professionalism in dealing with the protesters. That’s professionalism at its best,” he added.

Lt. Gen. Danao expressed sadness over the way some groups have portrayed their actions last Wednesday in a very negative way.

“Some have accused our CDM personnel of doing an ‘overkill’ last Wednesday but we are always ready to face any investigation. What is saddening here is that our critics have failed to mention the fact that the melee was started by the protesters who broke some of our CDM equipment and tried to march to a place where they should not be marching,” he said.

“We really have to differentiate between what is right and wrong in a democratic country like ours. When people who have no other intention but to lambast our leaders and try to create trouble that may spill into the streets, we have to move.

When protesters try to launch actions that will directly affect other people’s lives and properties, and even contribute to our traffic problem, we have to do our part. That’s part and parcel of our job,” he added.

In the aftermath of last Wednesday’s incident, the PNP-OIC called on the entire police force to remain united and act with professionalism in dealing with similar incidents in the future.

“Maximum tolerance is our policy but we will see to it that the rule of law will always be followed in the event protesters would start creating trouble.

We will always allow them to have their peaceful assembly in so-called Freedom Parks and with permits from local government units. However, we have to prevent them from even moving an inch outside of these authorized rally zones.

Those who will go overboard in their actions and march outside our freedom parks have to face the rule of law as we try to keep peace and order always.

We must always stand our ground to Serve and protect our people. For this is the core mission of all men and women of the Philippine National Police,” he said.

Lt. Gen. Danao issued the fair warning to all noting that although they really protect the freedom of expression as enshrined in the Constitution, they also have their sworn duty to ensure that the rule of law will always be followed with ‘firm resolve.’

He also said that dealing with protesters is also eating up part of the budget of the police force which could be used in mobilizing more officers that will patrol the streets and help address and thwart criminality.

“Kung puwede naman pong huwag magpadala sa udyok ng ibang tao, lalo na ng mga pulitiko, sana po ay gawin na natin,” he said. He particularly issued his call on young students whom he said are obviously being taken advantage of by some politicians.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon