By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency
Avoid sowing violence and let the legal process take its course, Malacañang advised the public on Thursday, after militant groups and flood survivors staged a protest at the property owned by controversial contractor couple Curlee and Sarah Discaya.
According to reports, protesters hurled mud at and spray-painted the word “magnanakaw” (“thief”) on the gate of Discaya-owned St. Gerrard Construction General Contractor and Development Corp.’s compound in Pasig City on Thursday morning.
In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. does not condone public disorder.
“Sabi nga po ng Pangulo, sinusunod po natin ang due process. Ang pag-uutos na imbestigahan lahat ay para rin po sa taumbayan. Pero hindi po ninanais na magkaroon ng kaguluhan,” Castro said.
“Hindi po iyan ang nais ng Pangulo. Nais ng Pangulo ay maliwanagan lahat tayo kung ano ang nangyayari sa mga flood control projects at maibigay ang nararapat sa taumbayan,” she added.
Castro said an ongoing investigation into questionable flood control projects is being pursued to ensure transparency and accountability.
She also advised Filipinos not to be swayed by false information intended to “further fuel their anger,” saying such efforts are counterproductive.
She said law enforcement agencies have been directed to prevent a repeat of such scenarios and ensure peace and order amid the investigation into flood control projects.
Castro also responded to the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict’s statement that communist insurgents are attempting to exploit the corruption issue to recruit youth and members of the vulnerable sector.
She urged the public, particularly the youth, to be vigilant and discerning, warning them against narratives that seek to weaponize legitimate public concerns for political agendas.
“Mag-isip po tayo dahil hindi po ito nadadaan sa dahas, at huwag po sanang gamitin ito kung ito ay naaayon sa report ng mga rebelde, ng mga obstructionists o mga kalaban sa politika,” Castro said.
“Hindi po ito kailangang gamitin para magalit kayo sa gobyerno o magalit kung kanino man. Magtulong-tulong po tayong lahat para masawata ang korapsyon dito sa bansa,” she added.
