By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
Amid various concerns regarding the security situation in the country, the Palace remains confident that the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other security agencies are performing their duties as guardians of peace and order across the archipelago.
At the Malacañang press briefing on Friday, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro reassured the public that the country’s justice system is in working order, and arrests on those inciting violence are being made with impartiality and due process in mind.
Castro said in response to doubts around swift arrests of young protesters vis-à-vis unhurried progress on holding corrupt officials accountable for their deeds, “Kung sila’y gumagawa ng krimen, o may basehan na sila’y gumawa ng krimen, maaari po silang maaresto. Hindi po lisensya ang pagiging kabataan para po gumawa ng isang krimen, at sasabihin na ‘Wag niyo kaming hulihin dahil kami ay parte ng kabataan.’”
She reminded the youth, “Ang mga kabataan ang dapat na pag-asa ng bayan, sila na po ang maunang sumunod at tumupad sa batas, at ang tangi lamang sanang gawin, maging ehemplo sa iba pang mga kabataan.”
The Palace mouthpiece, meanwhile, fired back at circulating sentiments regarding a possible coup or destabilization plot against the Marcos Jr. administration, dismissing such as “unnecessary noise” that aims to undermine the citizenry’s trust in government institutions.
Castro asked, urging the masses to verify the sources of these unverified information, “Tingnan niyo muna kung saan nanggagaling yung mga issues na ito. Ito po ba ay galing sa mga obstructionists, fake news peddlers, walang mga awtoridad para magsalita?”
She concluded in her remarks, “Kung ito po ay kumakalat at nakikita niyo po kung saan nanggagaling, at maituturo niyo na malamang ito ay mula sa mga nagnanais na paalisin ang Pangulo sa puwesto, ‘wag po natin paniwalaan pero handa naman po ang gobyerno sa anumang maaaring balakin nila.”
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