By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
Acknowledging the citizenry’s outrage over the flood control mess and anticipating mass demonstrations on November 30, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. encouraged protesters to avoid violence and maintain peace and order during protests.
This, as Marcos stressed that he does not want a recurrence of unlawful upheavals that disrupted the ‘generally peaceful’ actions of rallyists during the nationwide anti-corruption protests held on September 21.
The President told the media in an interview in Busan, “The only concern I have when we have demonstrations for whatever reason is that there are agitators who will go and try to cause trouble.”
He cited the mischievous acts of “Team Itim,” a group of masked minors clad in all-black outfits involved in dousing stagnant water from creeks, as well as hurling rocks and Molotov cocktails at anti-riot police in Ayala Bridge, which culminated in the torching of a trailer used as a barricade to prevent demonstrators from entering the premises of Malacañang.
Other incidents of violence were also reported in Mendiola and Commonwealth Avenue, which led to several injured police personnel and the arrest of 216 individuals.
President Marcos warned the agitators, “Tanggalin na ninyo sa isip ninyo ‘yan. Manggugulo kayo. Wala namang mangyayari. May masasaktan lang. Nasasaktan pa ‘yong mga kasama ninyo kung minsan. ‘Yong mga pulis, wala namang kinalaman ‘yong pulis.”
After revealing the issue of ‘ghost’ and anomalous flood control projects to the citizenry, the Chief Executive has repeatedly called for transparency and accountability in government public works vis-à-vis heightened public scrutiny and awareness of this pressing national concern that shone a light on a devious “kickback scheme” within the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
These pronouncements by Marcos brought into fruition the “Sumbong sa Pangulo” website and an ongoing “lifestyle check” on government officials, prompting public servants to release their Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs) as proof that public funds are utilized appropriately.
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