Palace warns public vs groups taking advantage of march for justice

MANILA, Philippines—A Malacañang official on Saturday warned the public on groups which may take advantage of the march for justice for the 44 members of the Special Action Force (SAF) killed in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

In an interview over radio dzRB, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said some groups would be participating in the event for their own personal motives.

“Let us be wary of groups that might be taking advantage of the situation for their own personal motives at hindi naman po talaga para makiramay o makiisa doon sa mga pamilya ng SAF 44 (Let us be wary of groups that might be taking advantage of the situation for their own personal motives and participating not to condole with the families of SAF44),” Valte said.

Dubbed as “March for Justice for SAF 44,” Sunday’s activity will be a 44 kilometer jog-walk from Salitran, Dasmariñas, Cavite, to Camp Crame in Quezon City.

However, Sr. Supt. Jerome Baxinela, president of the Camp Crame chapter of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) Alumni Association Inc., on Friday advised fellow PNPA alumni against joining the activity.

READ: PNPA grads split on march

Asked if the Palace pressured Baxinela from discouraging people to join the march, Valte denied the said claim, saying the Aquino administration “never intervened” in any protest action.

“Wala ho tayong kinalaman dito na huwag ho silang sumama or hindi (We are not pressuring anyone from joining the protest or not),” she said.

“Remember that in any rally or demonstration—at least under the Aquino administration—we have never intervened, or we have never stepped in to ask na huwag ituloy, because we recognize that these rallies are part of the democratic space that we share.”

Those who will join the march are barred from issuing antigovernment sentiments. No handouts and tarpaulins critical of the administration will be allowed.