ILOILO City – Thousands are expected to pour into the streets on September 21 for the Trillion Peso March against corruption and for marking the anniversary of the declaration of martial law back in 1972, and the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) is bracing for the surge — promising to secure the protest while upholding the people’s right to assemble.
ICPO director Police Colonel Kim Legada said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s order lifting the “No Permit, No Rally” policy overrides existing ordinances, effectively clearing the way for demonstrations without permits.
“We respect the people’s right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, but we appeal to everyone to exercise these rights responsibly,” Legada said. “Let us make this activity peaceful and orderly, free from any actions that may cause harm or disrupt the community.”
The ICPO’s Civil Disturbance Management Unit is on full standby, with station commanders ordered to tighten security, coordinate with organizers, and ensure police deployment along rally routes.
Authorities stressed the focus will be on safeguarding, not dispersing, participants.
Legada reminded organizers to steer clear of violence, vandalism, or disruptions to essential services.
“The ICPO remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguard both public safety and democratic rights,” he said. “We call on everyone to cooperate so that the Trillion Peso March will stand as a model of Filipinos voicing their concerns strongly but peacefully.”/PN
