The Philippine National Police has ordered a nationwide freeze on permits allowing civilians to carry firearms in public from November 29 to December 1, a precautionary move as the country prepares for the massive Trillion Peso March set on Sunday, November 30.
Acting PNP Chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the temporary suspension of these permits is part of a larger security plan designed to prevent weapons from entering protest sites and to maintain a controlled environment during what is expected to be one of the biggest demonstrations in recent years.
Only members of the PNP, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and other authorized state forces will be allowed to carry firearms in public, and only if they are on duty and in full uniform.
Nartatez said that over 9,000 police officers will be deployed across Metro Manila and key provinces to manage crowds, secure converging points, and respond to emergencies. He stressed that the massive presence of security personnel should not be interpreted as a move to intimidate demonstrators, saying that the sheer size of the expected turnout requires quick-response teams, crowd marshals, and medical units stationed throughout the day.
The PNP, he added, remains committed to maximum tolerance, with officers tasked to focus on crowd safety rather than strict enforcement unless violations become imminent threats.
Behind the scenes, however, the buildup to the rally has pushed police intelligence units to track groups suspected of attempting to ride on the demonstrations to provoke unrest. Nartatez referenced the September 21 mobilization in Manila, when several individuals were flagged for disruptive activities, prompting authorities to widen monitoring operations as a preventive measure.
While the PNP has not received reports of direct or credible threats linked to the November 30 rally, he said it would be irresponsible not to anticipate attempts to distract from what organizers have repeatedly described as a peaceful, issue-based mobilization.
The Trillion Peso March, which activists say will be held in cities nationwide, is expected to bring together thousands of citizens frustrated by corruption allegations, governance lapses, and mounting public expenditures.
Local governments have already issued advisories warning of heavy traffic, rerouting schemes, and road closures beginning Saturday evening, particularly on White Plains Avenue, EDSA, Katipunan, Ortigas, and Temple Drive, where participants are expected to gather or pass through.
Nartatez noted that the PNP recognizes the constitutional right to peaceful assembly and is coordinating closely with other national and local agencies to ensure that the event remains safe and orderly from start to finish. He urged demonstrators to cooperate with authorities, follow security protocols, and immediately report suspicious behavior or individuals attempting to incite hostility.
As the country approaches November 30, a growing sense of anticipation continues to build—part quiet anxiety, part public resolve—while both security forces and rally organizers prepare for a day that could mark a significant moment in the nation’s political climate.
