THE leadership of the Philippine National Police (PNP) denied on Friday, May 13, 2022, deploying any directive to its personnel to profile any personalities, particularly those taking part in various post-election rally protests.PNP chief of the Public Information Office Brigadier General Roderick Alba said the directive it issued to its personnel is only to ensure that picket protests will be peaceful and orderly to avoid any violence or untoward incidents.“Part of the regular activity of the PNP during their deployment in any gathering is to prepare a situationer report, which includes the estimate number of participants and the overall assessment of the entire activity as this will serve as reference in planning for deployment in similar events,” he said in a statement.“We assure everyone that the PNP will impose maximum tolerance in these protest rallies. We respect the people’s right to voice out their opinions in assemblies or gatherings but we will truly appreciate it if it will be done in a peaceful manner,” he added.Several groups, including Anakpawis, Kilosang Mayo Uno, Gabriela, Bayan and Kabataan Party-list, launched various picket protests since Tuesday, May 10, a day after the 2022 national and local elections.They were protesting the result of the election, particularly the looming victory of presidential candidate former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr.The older Marcos was criticized due to human rights violations during the Martial Law, which he declared on September 23, 1972.Marcos was elected as the 10th president of the Philippines in 1965 and ruled the country until he was ousted in 1986.He placed the country under Martial Law from 1972 until 1981.Based on the initial and unofficial canvassing of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as of 11:32 a.m., Marcos maintained his 17-million vote lead against his staunch contender Vice President Leni Robredo.His running mate, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is also leading the race with over 31 million votes, far ahead from second placer, Senator Francis Pangilinan, Robredo’s tandem, with only over nine million votes.The Manila City Government issued on Wednesday, March 11, a directive requiring permits for the conduct of rally protests in the area. (SunStar Philippines)