The Philippine National Police (PNP) expressed relief that the observance of Labor Day on Wednesday was met with organized protests which resulted in a “peaceful and orderly” situation all over the country.
Police General Oscar Albayalde, PNP chief, paid tribute to millions of workers whom he said is the lifeline of the economy.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), approximately 43.5 million Filipinos were part of the labor force as of October 2018.
“Sa ating pagdiriwang ngayong araw ng mga manggagawang Pilipino, nawa’y isaisip natin ang tunay na esensiya ng pagdiriwang na ito na may diwa ng makabayan at maka-Diyos na ang hangad ay patuloy na pag-unlad ng ating bansa at mapayapang pamumuhay sa kabila ng mga pagsubok,” Albayalde said in a statement.
Police Colonel Bernard Banac, PNP spokesperson, said as of midday, the peace and order situation nationwide was “generally peaceful and orderly with no untoward incidents reported.”
“We laud the workers nationwide for commemorating Labor Day in an orderly and peaceful manner,” he said.
In Metro Manila where majority of the street protests were held, the number of rallyists reached close to 8,000 around 12 noon based on the National Capital Region Police Office record.
Police Major General Guillermo Eleazar, NCRPO director, said the Manila Police District (MPD) has recorded 5,800 rallyists. They held protests at Liwasang Bonifacio; Chino Roces Bridge in San Miguel; CM Recto Avenue corner Quezon Boulevard, Quiapo; Espana corner Blumentritt, Sampaloc. They later gathered at Mendiola.
They called on the Duterte government to fulfill its promise to end the contractualization in the country, raise the minimum wage of workers, especially the provincial rate; secure the passage of Security of Tenure Bill in the Congress, uphold democratic rights, and junk TRAIN Law among other issues.
According to Eleazar, a total of 8,423 cops were deployed to ensure the peace and order in the metropolis while the rallyists were conducting their demonstrations. (Martin Sadongdong)
