The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it does not expect demonstrations in the country to reach the scale or intensity of recent protests in Indonesia and Nepal, though it assured the public that security forces are ready should the situation escalate.

In an exclusive interview with DZRH's Dos Por Dos on Friday, PNP acting chief Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the police continue to implement peace and order operations, from patrols to investigations, and constant coordination with communities.

"Karapatan naman ng isang grupo o isang tao to peacefully assemble, petition the grievances to any group like the gobyerno natin. Nakahanda po ang pulis para makiusap na magdispurse sila at to maintain peace and order sa lugar," Nartatez said.

He noted that protest organizers are being monitored, particularly in Metro Manila and other regions, and are required to apply for permits before holding rallies.

“Alam na po ng mga demonstrator at rallyist iyan. Ipinapatupad po natin iyang no permit, no rally," he said.

He stressed that local government units (LGUs) are responsible for issuing rally permits, and coordination with police is required before any assembly.

Nartatez clarified that some venues, such as the EDSA Shrine and the EDSA People Power Monument, are not designated freedom parks and therefore are off-limits for protest actions, even with a permit.

Police will engage with groups attempting to assemble in restricted areas and ask them to disperse peacefully.

On the scheduled rallies this September 13 and 21, Nartatez said organizers have made their intentions known, but stressed that protests without the necessary permits or held outside freedom parks will not be allowed.

Asked if rallies in the Philippines could escalate into situations similar to those in Indonesia and Nepal.

“Dito po [sa Pilipinas] wala po tayong namomonitor na ganoong ka-dahas, ganong dami ng demonstrator. Actually, ang given data po humigit kumulang 1,000 tao nag namomonitor natin. Ito po ay mayroon po tayong response para dito, accroding to the number, Mayroon tayong contingency hindi lang PNP ang involved dito but iba’t ibang ahensya ng mga DILG, nandyan ang BJMP, BFP lalong lalo na nandyan din po ang ating local government unit,” he stressed.

"Kung ihahalintulad ang nangyari sa Indonesia at Nepal, Dito po sa atin, hindi naman po aabot sa ganiyang pagkakataon. Ang isyu dito ay korapsyon at hindi magandang pag-implementa ng flood control project," he noted.

He explained that current protests are largely focused on corruption issues and flood control projects, concerns already being addressed directly by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who personally ordered investigations into anomalies.

"Ito po ay no less than the President siya na po ang nagbigay ng kautusan at siya po ang nagsimula at namuno para umpisahan at makita ang mga anomalaya at problema dito sa flood control," he said. "Wala tayong namomonitor, except dito sa mga grupo na nagdedemonstrate which is valid naman kung nakikita na maalis ang korapsyon at inaaddres na ng gobyerno ‘yan. At pinangungunahan ng ating Pangulo. indirect."

The acting PNP chief also dismissed speculations of internal unrest within the police force, stressing that morale remains high.

“Ang moral po ng PNP ngayon ay mataas. High moral po. Wala po tayong nakikita ngayong ganiyan. Lalong-lalo na ako po ang namumuno dito. Lagi nating tinitignan because it is one of the highest form of discipline dito sa isang organization,” Nartatez said.

Message to public

Nartatez appealed to the public to remain calm and responsible, weighing their actions carefully.

“Ang gagawin natin should be based kung ito ba ay makakatulong. Is this for the good of our nation? Of course, kung laban sa korapsyon, it is good for the nation. Kaya nga po ito ay pinangunahan na ng ating Pangulo kaya sa inspeksyon niya at resulta ng mga nakaraang bagyo at flooding dito sa Metro Manila, siya po ay naalarma there should be accountable dito sa mga nangyayari dito kaya nag-iinspeksyon siya sa mga flood control,” he said.

When asked about his successor, P/Gen. Nichols Torre III, Nartatez said he was not focused on the four-star rank, clarifying instead that Torre remains on leave.

The PNP, he assured, remains prepared to maintain peace and order while respecting the constitutional right of citizens to peaceful assembly.

"Kami ay nakikiusap na huwag masyadong sa karahasan o kilos protesta tingnan na lang natin ang gagawing investigation. Nakahanda naman ang mga pulis," he concluded.