Rights group warns vs police deployment overkill, use of violence and force in Nov30 rallies
KARAPATAN Public Information
PRESS RELEASE
November 26, 2025
Reference: Cristina Palabay, KARAPATAN secretary general, 09173162831
KARAPATAN Public Information Desk, 09189790580
Rights group warns vs police deployment overkill, use of violence and force in Nov30 rallies
KARAPATAN called the deployment of more than 15,000 police personnel for the November 30 rallies in Manila an “overkill” and warned against the use of violence and disproportionate force against rally participants, which the police inflicted on protesters and bystanders during the September 21 protests.
“We warn against any form of repression from the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines during the massive rally on November 30,” said KARAPATAN secretary general Cristina Palabay, “lest they plan to fully expose themselves as protectors of the corrupt and persecutors of the people fighting for justice and accountability.”
Noting previous statements from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) that it will investigate those who will call for the resignation of Marcos Jr. and other corrupt public officials in rallies slated for November 30, Palabay stressed that such moves violate the people’s freedom of expression and their right to hold government officials accountable.
The human rights group also charged as hypocritical the stance of the Department of National Defense (DND), AFP and PNP claiming that they are against coups, military juntas and martial law.
“These institutions were the main implementers of martial law and states of emergency under the Marcos Sr., Arroyo and Duterte regimes that resulted in widespread violations of human rights and international humanitarian law,” said Palabay. “Historically, they have also been utilized by bureaucrat capitalists to protect their interests,” added Palabay, “and have been used as instruments of repression against those who oppose bureaucratic corruption and call for genuine change.”
“We vehemently oppose any form of military junta and rule. Such acts intend to suppress the people’s clamor for accountability and maintain the status quo of brazen corruption and fascism of those in power,” Palabay said.
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KARAPATAN is an alliance of human rights organizations and programs, human rights desks and committees of people’s organizations, and individual advocates committed to the defense and promotion of people’s rights and civil liberties. It monitors and documents cases of human rights violations, assists and defends victims and conducts education, training and campaign.