National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Chief PMGen. Anthony Aberin on Monday rejected claims that police presence at the November 30 rallies across Metro Manila was excessive, insisting that authorities were simply “over-prepared” to prevent a repeat of the clashes seen during the September 21 rallies, particulary in Mendiola.
“Generally peaceful ‘yung nangyaring rally sa kabuuan ng Metro Manila,” Aberin said in a interview on dzRH's Damdaming Bayan.
“Pero ‘yung sinasabi nilang overkill, wala pong overkill. Hindi naging overkill. We are over-prepared. Ayaw na natin mangyari iyong nangyari noong nakaraang rally," he added.
Reports circulated online alleging that the number of police officers outmatched the crowd of protesters. Aberin disputed this, noting that the ratio varied depending on the area.
“Marami rin, on a particular place, mas marami ang nagra-rally kumpara sa humaharang sa kanila,” he explained. “Hindi lang sila maka-penetrate dahil naglagay tayo ng barrier so that walang physical contact iyong mga pulis at mga nagra-rally.”
He added that during the Sept. 21 rally, the absence of barriers led to physical altercations in which some police officers were kicked or shoved.
“With the barrier around, hindi na basta-basta magagalaw ang ating mga kapulisan,” Aberin said.
"Kaya nga tayo naglagay ng barrier para hindi na nila maabot ang ating mga kapulisan. Sa gayon maiwasan natin ‘yung magkasakitan ‘yung pulis at ‘yung mga raliyista," he added.
The NCRPO Chief emphasized that the police exercised maximum tolerance throughout the demonstrations.
“Maximum tolerance ang ginawa natin kahit na minumura ang pulis at pinagsisigawan,” he said. “Hindi tayo nagre-react nang sa ganoon ay hindi mag-escalate ang sitwasyon.”
However, he also confirmed that individuals claiming to be freelance journalists were stopped and questioned by police after being seen wearing balaclavas, ballistic vests marked “PRESS,” helmets, and gas masks.
He cited a Manila City ordinance prohibiting balaclavas in public due to their use in recent criminal incidents.
“Kung nakasuot ka noon habang naglalakad, sisitahin talaga at titignan ang iyong pagkakakilanlan,” Aberin said, noting that first-time offenders are only warned, though their identities are recorded.
He added that those stopped were students who also worked as freelance journalists.
Aberin concluded by assuring the public that the Philippine National Police remains prepared for any future demonstrations and respects the public’s right to peaceful assembly.
