Malacañang said protesters who fail to secure permits and violate laws during public assemblies may face accountability, following a rally along EDSA organized by Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) members that caused significant traffic disruption and raised concerns over coordination with authorities.
During a press briefing on Monday, Palace Press Officer and Undersecretary Claire Castro emphasized that while the government respects the right to peaceful assembly, organizers must coordinate with authorities to avoid public inconvenience and possible legal violations.
“Ang pakiusap lang po natin sana kung magkakaroon ng mga pagpaprotesta o gathering ay makipag-coordinate naman sa gobyerno dahil hindi naman ang gobyerno ay nagkokontrol or hindi nagpapahinto, hindi kayo pinipigilan sa anumang kilos na ginagawa niyo, provided that your action should be in accordance with the law,” Castro said.
She added that any breach of existing laws will be subject to investigation and possible sanctions.
“So kung meron po tayo makikita ngayon na violation ng anumang batas, ito po ay iimbestigahan at kung kailangan managot at kitang-kita naman siguro kung meron paglabag sa batas ay kailangan din po managot,” she said.
Asked whether the administration would back down from protesters calling for transparency amid reports involving an alleged arrest linked to an Iglesia Ni Cristo member and Senator Rodante Marcoleta, Castro underscored the importance of lawful conduct.
“Hindi po natin po kasi alam kung ano ba yung purpose ngayon ng protesta… Pagpapatupad ng batas, transparency, may selective justice, dun muna tayo sa pagpapatupad ng batas,” she said.
She further questioned the consistency of calls for legal compliance among demonstrators.
“Kung tayo po ay humihiling na ipatupad natin ang batas, hindi po ba dapat tayo din ay tumutupad sa batas? Tayo din ay sumusunod sa batas. So paano po ba natin maisisigaw na dapat kayong tumupad sa batas kung tayo mismo nagra-rally ay hindi tumutupad sa batas?” Castro added.
On concerns that the rally may extend for several days, the Palace assured the public that the government is prepared to manage prolonged demonstrations while prioritizing public safety and mobility.
“Ang gobyerno naman po ay laging handa… Mas marami po ngayon ang naapektuhan dahil sa biglaan nilang pagdagsa sa EDSA,” Castro said, noting that major transport routes and emergency access points were affected.
She added that while the government acknowledges the protesters’ grievances, public inconvenience cannot be ignored.
“Hindi natin matatawaran ang kanilang dahilan pero baka hindi maintindihan ng karamihan sa atin na mas naapektuhan sila dahil sa pagpoprotekta sa isang tao,” she said.
