Statement of PNP on Nationwide Anti-Corruption Rallies in PH for “Trillion Peso March”
PNP – The Philippine National Police described the “Trillion Peso March” rallies against corruption as “generally peaceful”.
Countless Filipinos joined the public protest actions versus corruption in the different areas across the Philippines on September 21. The event was called the “Trillion Peso March” which was set amid the flood control issue in the country. Countless people were left dismayed by the flood control mess.
Previously, a few weeks since his 4th State of the Nation Address (SONA) wherein he chided corrupt individuals and spoke his frustration over the failed flood control projects in the country, Pres. Bongbong Marcos revealed that the country has already spent over P500 billion for the flood control projects from July 2022 to May 2025.
Marcos Jr. also flagged 15 contractors that got a huge chunk from the over P500-billion spending for the flood control projects. Both the Senate and the House of Representatives opened investigations and invited the contractors flagged by the President.
In one of the Senate hearings, controversial contractor couple Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya and Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya claimed that some officials of the government and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) allegedly receive kickbacks from the flood control projects. The Discayas named the following:
- then-House Speaker and Leyte Congressman Martin Romualdez
- Quezon City Cong. Arjo Atayde
- Pasig Cong. Roman Romulo,
- Marikina Cong. Marcy Teodoro
- Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co
Amid the flood control mess and the preparations for the “Trillion Peso March”, the law enforcement agencies including the PNP were ordered to keep the protest rallies peaceful as much as possible. Marcos Jr. claimed that he will join protest actions versus corruption if he’s not the president.
Malacañang also claimed that the President is not worried over the rallies. Palace press officer undersecretary Claire Castro stressed that protests are “normal”
Following the “Trillion Peso March”, the PNP described the nationwide protest actions against corruption as “generally peaceful” with only a few isolated incidents reported. Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, acting PNP Chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. commended the law enforcement units.
“Our police units worked hard to keep everyone safe today. While there were some isolated incidents, including a trailer truck set on fire at the foot of the Ayala bridge by a few unruly protesters, most rallies went on peacefully because many participants cooperated with the authorities,” the acting PNP chief said.
The PNP records showed that at least 61,605 people joined the “Trillion Peso March” rallies against corruption nationwide. Over 50,000 police officers were deployed to ensure that the protest actions remain peaceful.
According to the PNP, 49 individuals including 36 adults and 13 minors were arrested amid the “Trillion Peso March” for various offenses. However, based on the report, at least 70 members of the Manila Police District sustained injuries.