The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said there is little chance of a protest in the Philippines similar to what happened in Nepal, where there were fires and severe chaos. According to Secretary Jonvic Remulla, Filipinos do not burn buildings even in the worst situations, but the government is still prepared in case the protest action worsens.
Remulla said a command conference had been held to prepare contingency plans for possible anti-corruption protests, following the unrest in Indonesia and Nepal that resulted in the deaths of at least 19 people. He said, "People want accountability but not instability," and the government remains at maximum tolerance.
He added that the police have been ordered to be calm, show respect, and observe the people's right to free assembly. "Let them protest if they want, as long as it's peaceful," according to Remulla.
Meanwhile, the PNP assured that they are prepared for any possible unrest, especially after allegations of corruption in flood control projects that are even bigger than the Napoles scam. According to Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., a security plan is in place for crowd control and dispersal if necessary.
Currently, several groups such as Tindig Pilipinas, Nagkaisa, Kalipunan ng Kilusang Masa, and Siklab have protested at the EDSA Shrine to condemn the alleged billion peso corruption in flood control projects.
