Cops thank rallyists from opposite sides for peaceful demonstrations

Chaos may have ensued inside the House of Representatives before the State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday but the situation outside the Batasang Pambansa appeared to be different.

In a statement from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Tuesday, Police Chief Supt. Guillermo Eleazar expressed his gratitude to the public, especially those who attended the pro- and anti-administration rallies for airing their grievances and beliefs peacefully.

“(NCRPO) Police Chief Supt. Guillermo Eleazar is satisfied and very grateful on the outcome of the established security coverage on the opening of the 17th Congress and the State of Nation Address (Sona) 2018 that concluded generally peaceful with no untoward incident,” NCRPO said.

According to NCRPO’s data, there were about 15,000 anti-Duterte rallyists and about 10,000 pro-Duterte rallyists during the protests’ peak.

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), however, claimed that there were about 40,000 anti-administration protesters on Monday.

“More than 40,000 joined the unity march and program along Commonwealth Avenue to protest the Duterte regime. We thank all the organizations that contributed to this historic show of force and unity,” Bayan Secretary-General Renato Reyes said.

READ: More than 40,000 joined anti-Sona rallies — Bayan

Meanwhile, NCRPO also said the regional director was directly involved in the security measures implemented for the Sona, which happened to be the shortest that President Rodrigo Duterte delivered so far since he assumed office in 2016.

Eleazar thanked other government agencies who helped the Philippine National Police in maintaining peace and order.

He also assured the public that NCRPO’s efforts would not end with securing the metropolis for the SONA as he instructed district directors, office chiefs, and station and field commanders to help maintain peace and order in the regions.

“Let us be inspired with our gains as a result of our hard work and continue to work harder to further win the trust and confidence of the public whom we [had] sworn to serve,” he said.   /vvp