Manila: The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has clarified that the mist observed outside its Central Office in Quezon City during a protest rally over the weekend was the result of a scheduled office defogging activity, countering online claims that it released "pesticide gas" against demonstrators.

According to Philippines News Agency, the DENR released a statement on Sunday evening denying the allegations that the agency used 'pesticide gas' during the public assembly. The statement emphasized that the occurrence was a part of a routine office defogging-a scheduled sanitation activity conducted within the DENR compound. This procedure involved the use of disinfectant mist, which complies with workplace hygiene standards and is not intended for crowd control.

The statement further clarified that while the mist was visible from outside the building, no chemical agents were directed toward the rally participants. The agency reiterated its respect for the public's right to peaceful assembly, noting that the visible mist was purely a result of routine sanitation.

Additionally, the Quezon City Police District's (QCPD) official spot report confirmed that the protest concluded peacefully without any untoward incidents. The demonstration was part of the "Hagupit ng Timog Katagalugan" caravan organized by progressive groups from the Southern Tagalog region, also known as Calabarzon, ahead of the scheduled State of the Nation Address (SONA) by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday.

Protesters, besides rallying at the DENR, also marched towards the Department of Agriculture. The DENR maintained that the sanitation activity was conducted within its compound and was unrelated to the public assembly along Visayas Avenue.