THE Philippine National Police (PNP) leadership yesterday defended the Quezon City Police District’s (QCPD) move against “unruly” protesters who tried to disrupt the proclamation of President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Vice-President-elect, Davao City Mayor and presidential daughter Sara Duterte-Carpio on Wednesday afternoon.

According to PNP Officer-in-Charge (PNP-OIC) Lieutenant General Vicente D. Danao Jr., his order for the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) is clear: “Observe maximum tolerance in dealing with the protesters but see to it that the rule of law will always be followed in the event they resort to unruly behavior.”

“The PNP exercises ‘maximum tolerance’ in every mass action where police intervention is necessary. Nirerespeto po namin ang freedom of expression nila, but they went overboard,” said PNP Public Information Office Chief Brigadier Gen. Roderick Augustus B. Alba.

NCRPO Director Major Gen. Felipe R. Natividad, maintained that “maximum tolerance” has been inculcated in members of their Civil Disturbance Management (CDM) units and other police personnel deployed to keep peace and order in any mass gatherings.

However, he said that during the incident that transpired at the Liwasang Diokno, Commission on Human Rights (CHR) compound in Q.C. 2022, a brief scuffle ensued when a group of protesters who were denied passage along Commonwealth Avenue attacked the police contingent from the QCPD headed by Brigadier Gen. Remus B. Medina.

At least 14 people were reported to have been hurt during the scuffle, which police said was triggered by the protesters themselves.

The NCRPO said that the protesters tried to kick and waggle the shields of the CDM personnel, prompting members of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) deployed in the area to douse them with water.

Maj. Gen. Natividad said that the protesters were only allowed within the vicinity of Liwasang Diokno but attempted to march outside the said freedom park, causing traffic and obstruction in the area.

Adhering to protocols, police officers did not retaliate against the actions of the rallyists.

“Unfortunately, the broken shields which made out of plastic may have caused injury to anybody who has in contact with it if applied with considerable force,” he said.

Brig. Gen. Medina said they only stood their ground when the unruly protesters started kicking the shields of their CDM personnel.

An estimated 200 members of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, Kilusang Mayo Uno, Agham, Selda, Bayan Muna and other militant groups participated in the rally.

Maj. Gen. Natividad assured the conduct of an in-depth investigation into the incident even as he reminded the public that peace and order are mutual concerns in events like what transpired on Wednesday.

The protesters eventually voluntarily dispersed at around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday. By Alfred Dalizon