MANILA, Philippines – Naging “generally peaceful” at maayos ang paggunita sa anibersaryo ng EDSA People Power Revolution at ang isinagawang Trillion Peso March noong Pebrero 25, ayon sa Philippine National Police (PNP).
“The EDSA anniversary and Trillion Peso March have concluded without any major untoward incident. Overall, the activities were generally peaceful. We express gratitude to the organizers of the event for helping us in ensuring the peaceful conduct of their activities,” ani PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr.
Kinilala rin niya ang naging propesyonalismo ng mga pulis, na aniya ay nagpakita ng pagpipigil at dedikasyon sa kanilang tungkulin. “We also recognize the professionalism, restraint, and dedication of our policemen who exercised maximum tolerance throughout the duration of the activities,” dagdag niya.
Mahigit 13,000 pulis ang idineploy upang tiyakin ang seguridad ng mga aktibidad, habang tinatayang nasa 6,000 katao ang dumalo sa EDSA Shrine at People Power Monument.
Ayon kay Police Brig. Gen. Ponce Rogelio Peñones, Jr., pinairal ng mga pulis ang maximum tolerance, kabilang ang sa ilang grupong walang permit.
“There are some groups that did not have a permit, but I said that the directive of our PNP chief is still there, maximum tolerance, let’s still give them what they have given, express their opinions, provided they should not cause trouble,” aniya.
Bagaman may pitong pulis na nasugatan matapos pagbabatuhin ng ilang raliyista, sinabi ni Nartatez na hindi nito naapektuhan ang kabuuang seguridad ng mga aktibidad. Dalawang katao ang inaresto at kakasuhan ng direct assault, resistance and disobedience to authority, alarm and scandal, at paglabag sa Batasang Pambansa 880.
Binigyang-diin ni Nartatez na ipinakita ng mapayapang pagdaraos ng mga aktibidad ang kooperasyon ng organizers, participants, at mga awtoridad.
“This successful collaboration is a testament to our maturity as a nation. We have proven that we can exercise our democratic rights and voice our sentiments while maintaining mutual respect for the law and the safety of our fellow citizens,” ani Nartatez. Santi Celario
