Tension flared outside the office of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) on Friday morning as protesters attempted to breach the gate of the Department of Energy (DOE) Compound, where the ICI office is located.
RH Jecelle Ricafort reported, the incident happened shortly after 9 a.m. in Taguig, when rallyists from the People Surge tried to enter the compound but were immediately blocked by police officers and security personnel.
A brief scuffle ensued before the group decided to hold a protest program outside the gate.
"Dahil sa kanilang ginagawang ganyang mga kalokohan, ang kapalit nito ay karahasan at pagpapahirap sa ating mga mamamayan. Buhay ang kapalit, kinabukasan ang kapalit," one of the members said.
The group called ICI a "puppet" of its founders instead of holding the top officials, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte accountable, who allegedly bear the greatest wrongdoing against the Filipino people.
Carrying placards and spray paint, protesters marked the images of Marcos, Duterte, the government contractor couple Sarah and Curlee Discaya, and the ICI logo with red X marks and the word “corrupt.”
The protesters shouted their chants of “Itigil ang cover-up!” and vowed to sustain their campaign across different government offices until those responsible are held accountable.
Acoording to them, they condenmed the alleged "cover-up" of the ongoing investigation by the ICI.
According to People Surge spokesperson Mimi Doringo, the group believes a cover-up is underway within the ICI’s ongoing investigation into the flood control scandal.
“Ang lahat ng mga taga-ICI, makinig sa boses ng taong bayan. Sawa na tayo sa mga palabas ng Kongreso at Senado. Sinusunog na ang mga ebidensya. Kailangan na po natin ng accountability,” she said.
She added that no one has been held accountable months after the ICI began its probe. Doringo also urged the public to remain vigilant and to demand transparency in the investigation.
“Pag hindi talaga sila kumilos ang maayos, eto, alam naman natin, etong ginagawa natin kahit papano, magiging alerto sila. Ang gusto lang din natin i-registro, gawin nila yung kanilang responsibilidad para sa taong bayan at hindi doon sa mga nagpwesto nga sa kanila. Kasi tayo ang nagpapasahod sa kanila,” Doringo added.
When asked about the absence of certain personalities — including Maynard Ngu and Terrence Calatrava, brother-in-law of House Speaker Martin Romualdez — from the ICI’s investigation, Doringo said the group is monitoring developments closely.
“Sasabihin nila, iniisa-isa lang nila yung mga tao, diba? Pero lagi't-lagi nandun kami. Maghihintay kami kung kailan nila maiharap sa atin 'yan. At tutulong, mananawagan tayo, tutulong dapat ang mga mamamayang Pilipino sa paghahanap ng mga taong ito dahil malaki ang pagkakautang nila sa atin," Doringo emphasized.
"Hindi natin kailangang iasa lang sa nasa pwesto kasi kung sa kanila mukhang paliligtasin talaga nila yung mga taong yan," she added.
The demonstration dispersed peacefully after several minutes.
