Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 10) — The Philippine National Police (PNP) urged the public to calm down and exercise sobriety after protesters gathered in front of the Commission on Elections office on Tuesday to criticize the poll body and reject candidates leading in its unofficial count.
“We have our own rights to express our grievances (and) opinions. Let us always exercise sobriety. Nakikiusap ako na medyo magpakahinahon tayo [Please calm down],” PNP Officer-in-Charge PLtGen Vicente Danao said during a press briefing on Tuesday.
Danao also urged rallyists to put one’s right to expression in proper perspective and do it in a proper place.
“We have our freedom parks. Pwede kayo magmura doon ng isang taon. Walang bawal dyan. As long as you will not hamper traffic, walang problema,” he said.
[We have our freedom parks. You can curse there for a year. Nothing is forbidden there. As long as you will not hamper traffic, there will be no problem.]
“If you start hurting people and throwing stones to government or any property, that’s the start na pupunta ang pulis sa inyo [that’s when police will take over],” he adds.
The activists marched to the Comelec office with placards that read “Comelec palpak” (Comelec a failure) and “Marcos Duterte mandaraya” (Marcos Duterte cheaters), as they chanted “Comelec duwag!” (Comelec coward).
Their placards were referring to presidential candidate former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos and his running mate, Davao Mayor Sara Duterte.
Meanwhile, anti-Marcos groups also staged a protest rally in front of the Provincial Capitol of Cebu amid Marcos’ impending victory in the presidential race based on the Comelec’s partial, unofficial tally of votes.
The tally shows Marcos with a huge lead over his rival, Vice President Leni Robredo, while Duterte has a wide margin over her closest rival Sen. Kiko Pangilinan.
READ: Marcos, Duterte poised to win presidential, VP elections
