• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region described the anti-corruption protest actions dubbed the “Trillion Peso March 2.0” across the region on November 30, as generally peaceful, in the absence of any untoward incidents.
A total of 869 personnel from the Philippine National Police were deployed in Negros Island Region, to ensure the safety and security of rally participants and the general public, on top of other law enforcement agencies and volunteers.
The Bacolod City Police Office reported that an estimated 2,500 to 3,000 individuals participated in the Trillion Peso March 2.0, which ended at the vicinity of the Bacolod City public plaza.
In a statement, PBrig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, PRO-NIR regional director, lauded the rally organizers and participants, and the entire community for responsibly observing the safety and security protocols that were put in place.
In Bacolod City alone, police chief Col. Joeresty Coronica reported that 300 uniformed personnel of BCPO were deployed to maintain law and order during the anti-corruption rally.
Ibay also commended all PNP personnel for their professionalism and diligence in managing security operations, with security implemented deemed effective and well-coordinated.
The successful management of the protest activities reflects the strong collaboration between law enforcement units, partner agencies, and the community, as well, he added.
In an interview prior to the start of the march and rally, former Negros Occidental Governor Rafael Coscolluela called for direct engagement with the government, to stop corruption.
Coscolluela, who was among the thousands of Negrenses joining the Trillion Peso March 2.0 in Bacolod City, said “we should not always be outside, and only complain, if there is a problem.”
“Indi bastante asta lang sa rally (joining a rally is not enough). We have to find ways to hold the guilty accountable. We have to find a way to prevent the corruption from continuing”, the former Negros Occidental governor said.
That is why we are calling for accountability and transparency, to stop corruption, Coscolluela said, as he also called for the return of the money stolen from the government.
Last week, Ex-DPWH engineer Henry Alcantara turned over P110-M to the Department of Justice as part of restitution in the flood control scandal.
Coscolluela also stressed the importance of people raising their collective voices, and to use collective resources to make the government accountable to the people.*
