PHLIPPINE National Police Officer-in-Charge (PNP OIC), Lieutenant General Vicente D. Danao Jr. yesterday said they will continue to exercise maximum tolerance in dealing with groups protesting the outcome of the May 9 presidential and vice-presidential race won convincingly by President-elect Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. and Vice President-elect Sara Duterte amid the pandemic

However, acting on instructions of Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo M. Año, the top cop said they will use a ‘calibrated response’ to ensure that the rule of law will prevail and will immediately act once the protesters start violating rules and regulations imposed by the government.

The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict or NTF-ELCAC last week slammed as an “unruly mob” the group of protesters that staged a rally in front of the Comelec purportedly to “stop” the poll body from declaring the certain victory of the Marcos-Duterte tandem.

Since the counting of the votes started, more than a dozen protest rallies have been staged in front of the Comelec office in Intramuros and the Supreme Court by groups opposing the landslide victory of the Marcos-Duterte tandem. The protesters are consistently coming from militant groups BAYAN, Gabriela, Anakpawis, Kilusang Mayo Uno, Migrante, ACT-Teachers, SELDA, Karapatan, Bayan Muna, Sinagbayan, Kabataan party-list, COURAGE, Kadamay and some Catholic Church-affiliated organizations who have strongly supported the failed presidential ambition of Vice President Leni Robredo.

Lt. Gen. Danao said everybody has the right to air their grievances and as enshrined in the Constitution, all have the freedom of speech and expression. However, he said that they won’t allow the protest actions to turn violent and affect the peace and order situation in the country.

The official on Friday ordered the monitoring of post-election activities of different groups opposed to the landslide victory of the Marcos-Duterte tandem in the presidential and vice-presidential race.

The top cop said the monitoring is needed since it is their prime duty to maintain peace and order and prevent chaos in the streets that may affect innocent civilians and properties in the event the anti-government protesters turn violent.

However, Lt. Gen. Danao said he has instructed his men to observe maximum tolerance in the event that big demonstrations or rallies will be held by personalities and groups that can’t accept the fact that Robredo was badly beaten by Marcos Jr. by more than 16 million votes.

“We understand the sentiment of the supporters and we respect the citizen’s right of self expression. However, we are appealing to the concerned groups to refrain from engaging in activities that can instigate and disrupt peace and order in the community,” Danao said.

The PNP-OIC reiterated his call on the public to remain vigilant especially when joining mass gatherings since the threat of the COVID-19 virus still remains and all are required to maintain physical distancing and wear face masks.

“Now is another opportunity to show goodwill by being responsible citizens of this country. The essence of real democracy is grounded on respect and discipline fostering the general welfare of the Filipinos,” Lt. Gen. Danao said.

“This very crucial season in the Philippine’s political landscape was marked with the cooperation from the citizens who exercised a valuable role in defending their votes as well. The PNP recognizes the active participation of the Filipinos at large paving way for a generally peaceful elections,” he added.

The NTF-ELCAC last week condemned ‘the agitation and false propaganda dissemination by the disgruntled and unruly mob in front of the Comelec office as it reported that just hours after the election, a group of people wearing black shirts trooped in front of the Comelec Intramuros office and shouted invectives and hurled insults at poll officials.

The Manila Police District headed by Brigadier Gen. Leo M. Francisco said they have really displayed maximum tolerance in dealing with the protesters. However, the official said they would be forced to implement the law once the demonstrators start become unruly and launch actions that would affect other people’s lives and properties.

The NTF-ELCAC warned the demonstrators who are obviously supporting Mrs. Robredo to stay within the bounds of law, or law enforcement agencies will deal with them accordingly.

“Clearly, the rallyists are supporters of a losing presidential candidate and several senatorial candidates allied with the said presidential aspirant. This is an act of desperation. This is not an act of decent, rational, and well-meaning individuals,” the body said.

“It is our duty to inform this unruly mob to stay within the bounds of the law. Any attempt or overt act on your part leading to the disruption of the peace and order and causing harm to the public will be dealt with accordingly by our law enforcement agencies,” it added.

The NTF-ELCAC pointed out that the people have already spoken when they gave Bongbong Marcos and Sara Duterte an advantage of more than 15 million votes to their closest rivals. Mrs. Robredo and Sen. Kiko Pangilinan.

The body also said that the government may apply the full force of the law against the protesters being exploited by some quarters to advance their selfish agenda once they really become a threat to national security and join the CPP/NPA/NDF in executing a plan to forcibly stop the Marcos-Duterte proclamation.

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno has ordered the MPD to crack down on unauthorized rallies in the city aimed at questioning the result of the May 9 polls. He said that the MPD and Manila barangay officials will strictly enforce Batas Pambansa 880 or the Public Assembly Act.