Ched Rick Gatchalian

Article (news)

AFP assessing reports of possible infiltrators, grenade threats in upcoming rallies

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Friday raised concerns over possible infiltration attempts that may disrupt otherwise peaceful protest actions — including allegations of individuals who could throw grenades.</p><p>AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said information has reached both the AFP and the Philippine National Police (PNP) about potential infiltrators who could take advantage of upcoming rallies.</p><p>He called on organizers to ensure that no one slips into their groups.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/14/afp-on-red-alert-amid-anti-corruption-protests-1542">AFP on &#x27;red alert&#x27; amid protests against flood control corruption</a></div><p>“Nananawagan kami sa kanila [organizers] to secure and police their ranks to make sure na hindi sila masingitan dahil may mga nagre-report po sa atin, pati sa PNP, na maaaring masingitan sila,” Brawner told defense reporters in a chance interview at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.</p><p>“May infiltrators at baka may magpasabog ng granada. Nakakatakot po yun. Yung mga peace-loving na kababayan natin baka masaktan sa ganito. So, we are asking the organizers to make sure na safe, peaceful ang kanilang mga rally. Pero nandiyan kami, we assure them that we will be assisting them,” he continued.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>UPCOMING PROTESTS</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>The Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) will hold its “Rally for Transparency and A Better Democracy” at the Rizal Park in Manila from November 16 to 18. The United People’s Initiative (UPI) will also hold its own gathering at the EDSA People Power Monument in Quezon City on the same dates.</p><p>Despite the concerns, Brawner stressed that the AFP still views the rallies as peaceful gatherings and does not consider the situation alarming.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/21/-lahat-ng-sangkot-dapat-managot-groups-hold-protest-anew-vs-corruption-1750">&#x27;Lahat ng sangkot, dapat managot&#x27;: Groups hold protest anew vs corruption</a></div><p>“For November 16 to 18, ang AFP ay nakahanda na sumuporta sa ating PNP so that mapanatili natin ang kapayapaan and the peace and order,” the military chief noted.</p><p>“Hindi naman [alarming]. As far as we are concerned, yung rallies na ito—these are peaceful rallies. Sana nga po maging peaceful dahil yun ang pangako ng organizers na maging peaceful ang rallies,” he added.</p>

<p>The AFP on Friday raised concerns over possible infiltration attempts that may disrupt otherwise peaceful protest actions — including allegations of individuals who could throw grenades.</p>

The AFP on Friday raised concerns over possible infiltration attempts that may disrupt otherwise peaceful protest actions — including allegations of individuals who could throw grenades.