Brief moments of tension surfaced during street demonstrations in Manila on Monday, Sept. 21, but law enforcement officers made no arrests as they adhered strictly to the government’s maximum-tolerance policy.
Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Police Colonel Allen Rae Co confirmed that officers managed to de-escalate potential conflicts quickly by restraining key individuals before situations deteriorated further.
“They were just pacified, and they were restrained from doing anything else, but they were not actually arrested. They were released immediately,” Co stated regarding the response.
“So there were no arrests, in line with the maximum-tolerance policy ordered by our President,” he added.
Overall, the PNP characterized the public gatherings as orderly. As of 11 a.m., authorities were monitoring three separate mobilization sites comprising roughly 350 demonstrators in total.
Co noted that organizers had not submitted formal permit applications ahead of the demonstrations.
Addressing crowd rules, the PNP reminded the public that while assemblies conducted inside designated freedom parks do not require government permits, gatherings outside those zones remain subject to regulatory oversight—though police will maintain a restrained posture.
“If ever there will be a dispersal, it will be done in a peaceful manner,” Co assured.
The Sept. 21 street actions coincided with nationwide events marking the 54th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law.