Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla said today that the September 21 protest actions were “generally peaceful,” even as he condemned the violent actions of a small group that attempted to sow disorder during demonstrations in Metro Manila.

“Gusto kong ipaabot na 99% ng protest very peaceful at may karapatan silang magpahayag. I respect that, and even the President is indignant to the situation [violent actions],” he said in a media interview after visiting Mendiola, one of the protest sites.

Secretary Remulla affirmed that government fully respects the constitutional right of Filipinos to stage peaceful assemblies, echoing the stand of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on upholding freedom of expression, provided it is exercised within the bounds of the law.

At the same time, he stressed that law enforcement will not tolerate attempts to disrupt peace and public safety. He cited incidents in Mendiola where masked protesters hurled rocks and molotov cocktails at police officers, and near Ayala Bridge where a group tried to provoke authorities by throwing rocks and setting a truck on fire.

“May 1% na nanggugulo. Hindi namin papayagan na masira ang pangalan ng protestang ito dahil sa kanila. May karapatan ang lahat na magprotesta, pero ang manggugulo hindi namin pwede payagan ‘yan,” Remulla emphasized.

He added that “it came to a point na nagbabatuhan ng molotov at yung mga pulis natin umiiwas lang. May isang pulis na muntik tamaan. At that point, we had to push them back but still use maximum tolerance kahit pinagbabato na ang mga pulis.”

According to reports, about 40 police officers were wounded while evading projectiles. Nineteen protesters, believed to be minors aged 15 to 17, were also apprehended. Police immediately coordinated with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to ensure that proper protocols were followed in handling the minors.

Despite the confrontation, the DILG chief assured the public that law enforcement will continue to observe maximum tolerance and respect the right to assembly while taking firm action against those who exploit protests to incite violence.

Original Article At:https://www.dilg.gov.ph/news/DILG-condemns-violent-agitators-as-99-of-protest-actions-remain-peaceful/NC-2025-1202