Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the Philippine National Police (PNP) will deploy 50,335 police officers to ensure the peaceful conduct of the rally on September 21.

In an interview with Karen Davilla at ANC Headstart on Tuesday morning, Remulla said deployed PNP personnel will handle various priorities, including police visibility, standby units, traffic assistance, checkpoints, and border control.

“The PNP will make sure there is no trouble. The PNP will not suppress them. The PNP will not stop them in any way, and we will make sure it is just a peaceful rally,” Remulla said.

This, as thousands of protesters are expected to join two separate rallies in EDSA and Luneta on Sunday, slamming the corruption of the flood control projects.

Remulla assured the public and the protest groups that Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is supportive of the movement. The conduct of rallies is allowed as long as the necessary permits have been secured.

“There is no opposition on the Palace’s part to granting any permits. In fact, they will assist them,” said Remulla.

“The President is one with them, and it is a different case that happened in the other countries,” he added.

While the DILG Chief acknowledged that citizens should hold all government officials and personnel accountable, especially those involved in anomalies on flood control projects, he urged them to express their anger and disappointment through peaceful means.

“I hope half a million people will show up and show indignation against these people, I hope they will vent, and I hope that there is a release of their anger in a very peaceful way, of their disappointment in how the things have transpired,” Remulla said.