• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Philippine National Police yesterday described the simultaneous Trillion Peso March on Sunday as “generally peaceful” in the Negros Island Region, with no untoward incidents recorded.
Heavy rains did not deter thousands of Negrenses from joining the Trillion Peso March in Negros Island, which participated by religious and civil society groups, including former government officials, and progressive organizations on Sunday.
Mostly clad in white, the participants of the protest action started walking from the South Capitol Road and ended at the Bacolod City Public Plaza.
The multi-sectoral group One Negros Ecumenical Council, led the activity.
The police estimated a crowd of 2,500 at the Bacolod City Public Plaza, and about 700 participated in similar peaceful protest actions in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, according to PLt. Col. Joem Malong, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office – Negros Island Region.
However, Fr. Aniceto Buenafe of the One Negros Ecumenical Council, said about 5,000 participated in the Bacolod City Public plaza rally.
More than 1,100 police personnel were deployed by PRO-NIR in the key strategic areas, as it placed troops on heightened alert status for the “Trillion Peso March” and other protests on Sunday, to ensure public safety, maintain peace and order, and provide security coverage in areas where the assemblies and rallies were staged.
Aside from the Bacolod City public plaza, the Bacolod City Police Office also monitored another prayer rally which was held in Brgy. Villamonte, Bacolod City, attended by about 250 individuals, who called for the return of former President Rodrigo to the country.
Personnel of the Bacolod City Police Office were also deployed in the vicinity of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bacolod City District Engineering Office in Barangay Taculing, Bacolod City.
As a nation, we have shown time and again that peaceful mass action is a powerful force for change, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said, adding that nationwide protest against corruption must carry the same spirit, be calm and orderly.
More than a show of conviction, it is also a call for accountability, that those guilty of corruption be brought to justice, Lacson said.
Malong said that police units continue to coordinate with local government units, community stakeholders, and organizers to ensure that the constitutionally guaranteed rights to peaceful assembly are upheld while maintaining public order and security.*
