Palace appeals for non-violence ahead of September 21 rallies

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Malacañang on Wednesday said that while it respected the rights of people to express their sentiments on the anticipated September 21 rallies, protestors were to refrain from breaking out in violence.

The September 21 rallies in 2025 resulted in over 100 arrests, with 93 police personnel being injured.

“Hindi naman po pinipigilan ng Pangulo at hindi hinahadlangan ang saloobin or pagsasabi ng saloobin ng ating mga kababayan sa mga ganitong klaseng pagtitipon. Pero hindi po naman kinakailangan na magkaroon ng karahasan, pananakit o pagkasawi pa ng ating mga kababayan dahil ang ating Pangulo po ay nakikinig sa bawat hinaing ng ating mga kababayan,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said.

(The President will not stop and is not blocking the sentiment or the expression of our countrymen through these types of gatherings. But there is no need for there to be violence, harm or death among our citizens because the President is listening to the concern of every citizen.)

Castro said that the Philippine National Police are ready for the upcoming rallies.

Addressing calls for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to resign amid the multi-billion flood control scam, Castro said that the government was acting to exact accountability over the corruption scheme.

“Kumilos naman po ang Ombudsman ayon sa kanilang nakitang ebidensiya, ano pa po ba ang nais ng mga taong ito? Wala na po yata itong satisfaction,” Castro said.

(The Ombudsman acted according to the evidence they saw, what else do these people want? There seems to be no satisfaction.)

Various groups are expected to take on to the streets on September 21, which is the anniversary of the Martial Law declaration of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. — the father and namesake of the current president.

Martial Law saw the deaths of upwards of 3,200 people, with around 70,000 more being arrested, according to Amnesty International. September 21 has since become an annual protest in the Philippines. — BAP, GMA News