MANILA -- Malacañang denied on Saturday that it has a hand in pressuring graduates of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) from not joining the march for justice on Sunday for the 44 members of the police Special Action Force (SAF) who were killed in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on January 25.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan that it has been the policy under the Aquino administration not to intervene in any demonstration.
"Wala ho tayong kinalaman dito na huwag ho silang sumama or hindi. Remember that in any rally or demonstration—at least under the Aquino administration—we have never intervened, or we have never stepped in to ask na huwag ituloy, because we recognize that these rallies are part of the democratic space that we share," she said.
Senior Superintendent Jerome Baxinela, PNPA Alumni Association chapter president in Camp Crame, has urged his fellow academy graduates not to participate on Sunday's march.
He reportedly said that the current situation does not warrant participation.
The Quezon City government also reportedly recalled the permit to hold the march from Camp Crame to Quezon City Memorial Circle following the recommendation of the local police.
Valte also denied that the Palace had a hand in withdrawing the permit issued by the local government of Quezon City. (SDR/Sunnex)