President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. does not want the investigation into the anomalous flood control projects to lead to chaos, similar to what is happening in Indonesia, Malacañang said on Thursday.

In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Usec. Claire Castro stressed that the President values due process in the ongoing investigation and urged Filipinos to let the probe move forward in an orderly manner.

“Hindi po nanaisin ng Pangulo na ganito ang mangyari. Sabi nga po ng Pangulo sinusunod po natin ang due process,” Castro said.

“Sa mga kapwa nating Pilipino ang pag-iimbestigang ginagawa po ng Pangulo, ang pag-uutos na imbestigahan lahat ay para din po sa taong bayan. Pero hindi po ninanais na magkaroon ng kaguluhan dahil lamang sa may mga maling information. Dahil ito daw ay ginagamit para mas paalabin ang galit ng mga Pilipino. Hindi po yun ang nais ng Pangulo,” she added.

Castro’s remarks came after disaster survivors and environmental groups staged a protest outside the St. Gerrard Construction Corp. in Pasig City, a company owned by the Discaya family.

The firm is among the Top 15 contractors linked to alleged anomalies in flood control programs.

Demonstrators hurled mud at the property and spray-painted the word “thief” on the gates.

Castro said Marcos has directed relevant government agencies and law enforcement authorities to ensure that tensions do not escalate into widespread unrest.

“Nais ng Pangulo ay maliwanagan lahat tayo kung ano nangyayari sa mga flood control projects at maibigay ang nararapat sa taong bayan. So inuutos naman din po ng Pangulo sa mga concerned government agencies natin, sa mga law enforcement natin na huwag niyo po hayaan na mangyari po ito.” Castro said.

The Palace’s appeal for calm was issued amid concerns that local protests could mirror the scale of unrest in Indonesia, where public outrage over lawmakers’ large allowances escalated into violent demonstrations.