“The Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the violence that erupted during the September 21 anti-corruption rallies in Metro Manila, and which marred an otherwise legal and peaceful spontaneous mass actions by a citizenry fed up with massive and unmitigated corruption involving flood control projects.
“At the same time, we also condemn just as vigorously the attempts by certain sectors to falsely pin the blame for the said violence on supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte, including PDP National Capital Region president Bernie Ang and PDP deputy spokesman Ferdinand Topacio, without any evidence and based merely on rumors and unvalidated social media posts,” the PDP said in a statement.
“In all of our mass actions on that day, our organizers and speakers have been persistent and consistent in calling for a peaceful protest, emphatically saying repeatedly that violence has no place in a democratic society. In fact, during the march to Malacañang, participants in the rallies organized by us were in constant dialogue with the police, including Mendiola ground commander Police General Aberin, whom we constantly assured that our group will not indulge in destructive or physically injurious acts and that we will disperse after a brief program. This we did by way of organized dispersal before dark towards the direction of the National Teachers College,” it added.
“This latest round of persecution is nothing but a lame attempt at psywar by some misguided elements who want to intimidate the real opposition and stifle legitimate dissent. The PDP will not be cowed into submission by a government with a vile track record of manufacturing evidence and weaponizing laws to silence its opponents,” the PDP said.
Alfonso Cusi, PDP-Laban Acting Chairman, issued guidelines which were circularized a few days before the rallies:
“As we join our fellow Filipinos in the September 21 rally, let us remain in guided by discipline, sobriety and focus. This is a people’s movement against corruption—not a stage for political grandstanding,” Cusi stated.
“A FEW REMINDERS TO ALL: 1. Attend as Citizens, Not Partisans. Let our presence reflect solidarity with the people, not party branding; 2. Keep the Focus on the Real Issue: CORRUPTION. Demand clear answers on who made the budget insertions? who must be held accountable? where did the flood control money go? and what concrete reforms will stop this abuse; 3. Exercise Sobriety and Discipline. Respect the peaceful character of the rally. Avoid provocations or actions that may taint the cause; 4.Reject Violence.”
“The PDP does not and will never support violence. Our struggle is for reform, accountability, and justice—always within the bounds of the Constitution and democracy. Let us stand with the people in truth and discipline. Our credibility as a movement rests on our clarity of purpose and strength of character,” Cusi said.
