Manila: Malaca±ang on Thursday rejected claims that its call for peaceful protests on Sept. 21 amounts to dictating how demonstrators should conduct their rallies. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stated that the government's appeal for nonviolent protests is consistent with existing laws and does not prevent anyone from exercising the right to peaceful assembly.

According to Philippines News Agency, Castro emphasized that the call for peace is enshrined in the country's laws, asserting, "Ang ibig po bang sabihin niyan, unang-una, hindi po tayo nagdidikta. Ang pagiging peaceful, ito po ay nasa batas natin (First of all, we are not dictating anything. The commitment to peace is actually enshrined in our laws)." This statement was made in response to accusations by Bayan secretary-general Mong Palatino, who argued that Malaca±ang has no right to dictate the conduct of the planned Sept. 21 protests.

Castro reiterated that while protesters are free to hold demonstrations, any acts of violence, assault, or other unlawful activities are not protected under the right to protest. She clarified, "Hindi po pagdidikta ang sinasabi nating gawing peaceful ang kanilang pagpoprotesta, hindi nga po sila pinagbabawalan (Urging them to keep their protest peaceful is not an attempt to dictate to them; in fact, they are not being prohibited from protesting)."

Castro also challenged protesters to clarify their intentions regarding the nature of their demonstrations if they object to the Palace's call for peaceful rallies. The call for peace comes in the wake of last year's Sept. 21 anti-corruption rallies, which turned violent in Mendiola and Ayala Bridge. During those protests, masked individuals threw rocks, bottles, and incendiary devices at police, setting fire to a container van used as a barricade in an attempt to enter the Palace compound.

Authorities reported that these violent actions resulted in dozens of police officers being injured and more than 200 protesters being arrested.