Statement of PNP on “Trillion Peso March” Rallies vs. Corruption
PNP – The Philippine National Police described the anti-corruption protest actions for the Trillion Peso March as “generally peaceful”.
Protest actions were held in several areas across the nation yesterday for the Trillion Peso March. The public rallies were set amid the flood control issues in the Philippines wherein several government and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials are accused of receiving kickback from the government flood control deals.
Pres. Bongbong Marcos previously stressed that the country’s spending on government flood control deals has already reached P545 billion for the projects since July 2022. He stressed that it is an “enormous” amount. Several areas across the nation still frequently experience flooding when heavy rains hit the country.
Marcos Jr. ordered the creation of the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) amid the flood control mess in the Philippines. Both the Senate and the House of Representatives also opened investigations into the flood control issue and invited the contractors flagged by the President for allegedly receiving around P100 billion from the country’s total spending on flood control deals.
In one Senate hearing, controversial contractors Pacifico and Cezarah cited the names of government and DPWH officials who allegedly receive kickback from the flood control projects. They named the following:
- former House Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez
- Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co
- Quezon City Cong. Arjo Atayde
- Marikina Cong. Marcy Teodoro
- Pasig Cong. Roman Romulo
Presidential cousin and Leyte Cong. Martin Romualdez resigned from being the House speaker amid the allegations against him. However, Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co has yet to return to the country amid the accusations linking him to the flood control mess.
Countless Filipinos called for an end to corruption during the Trillion Peso March. Some protesters called for the stepping down of Pres. Bongbong Marcos while others challenged the Chief Executive to hold Romualdez and Co accountable amid the accusations against them. The PNP was under the order to keep the public protest actions peaceful.
Following the Trillion Peso March, the PNP said the anti-corruption rallies in the different areas across the country was “generally peaceful”. Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, acting PNP Chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said there were just some isolated incidents.
“Our police units worked hard to keep everyone safe today. While there were some isolated incidents, including a trailer truck set on fire at the foot of the Ayala bridge by a few unruly protesters, most rallies went on peacefully because many participants cooperated with the authorities,” the acting PNP Chief said.
According to the PNP, at least 61,605 protesters nationwide—33,720 in Metro Manila and 27,885 from other regions, joined the Trillion Peso March. To keep the protest actions peaceful, over 50,000 police offers including 29,300 assigned to Metro Manila as part of Civil Disturbance Management (CDM) units were deployed for the rallies.
Based on the report, at least 70 members of the PNP sustained injuries while 49 individuals were arrested for various offenses. Police Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño thanked the “organizers and participants who cooperated and followed the rules”.
Amid the Trillion Peso March, there were unique happenings in some areas. In the bailiwick of the Dutertes, the Davao City protesters feasted on a crocodile lechon and cake.