• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) described the anti-corruption protest actions called the “Trillion Peso March 2.0” on Sunday, as generally peaceful, in the absence of any untoward incident.
A total of 869 personnel from the Philippine National Police were deployed across the region to ensure the safety and security of rally participants and the general public with support from other law enforcement agencies and volunteer groups.
The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) reported that 2,500 to 3,000 individuals participated in the Trillion Peso March 2.0, which ended in the vicinity of the public plaza.
In a statement, PBrig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, PRO-NIR regional director, lauded the rally organizers and participants and the entire community for responsibly observing the safety and security protocols that were put in place.
In Bacolod City alone, BCPO Director Col. Joeresty Coronica said 300 uniformed personnel were deployed to maintain law and order during the rally.
In an interview, former Negros Occidental governor Rafael Coscolluela called for a direct engagement with the government to stop corruption.
Coscolluela, who was among the thousands of Negrenses who joined the Trillion Peso March 2.0 in Bacolod City, said “we should not always be outside, and only complain, if there is a problem”.
“Indi bastante asta lang sa rally (Holding a rally is not enough). We have to find ways to let the guilty be accountable. We have to find a way to prevent the corruption from continuing,” he added. “That is why, we are calling for accountability and transparency to stop corruption and for the return of money stolen from the government”.
Coscolluela stressed the importance of raising collective voices and using collective resources to make the government accountable to the people. | GB
