MALACANANG on Friday warned supporters of former president Rodrigo R. Duterte not to fall prey to saboteurs who would induce them to commit violence during protest actions.

Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Malacañang will not stop any peaceful gathering to celebrate Duterte’s birthday.

Castro said she does not see rallies as divisive to the country but as an exercise of “freedom of expression.”

She, however, warned that such mass action must not border on sedition.

Castro defined sedition as acts or statements intended to overthrow or destroy the government or the lawful authority.

“Wala pong kautusan na pumigil sa anumang pagtitipon dahil ito po ay Constitutional right ng bawat Pilipino. Huwag lamang po sila lalagpas at maituturing na kanilang ginagawa ay labag na sa batas,” Castro said in a press briefing in Malacañang.

“Pag sumigaw na ibagsak ang gobyerno. Isa yan. Kapag nagpatuloy ng pananalita para to sow fear, i-promote pa ang hatred sa government, bordering the line of inciting to sedition. Dapat alam po nila yan,” she said.

Castro said rallyists must know there are limitations. “Ang bawat responsibilidad ay may kaakibat na obligasyon,” she said.

Castro also said the government will not stop any pro-Duterte gatherings. Still, she reminded the public there are also those opposing the former president, primarily families and relatives of victims of those killed during Duterte’s war on drugs.

“Tama naman po siguro na malaman ng buong mundo hindi lamang po ang interes ng dating pangulong Duterte ang madinig. Pati po yung interes ng mga nabiktima ang dapat madinig ng buong mundo,” Castro said.

Duterte is now awaiting trial at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands, for crimes against humanity in connection with his administration’s bloody campaign against illegal drugs. PCO

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