SONA SPECIAL REPORT: Police prepare for protests as activists take to the streets

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to deliver his State of the Nation Address at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City today. Thousands will be tuning in as he addresses assembled guests consisting of members of his cabinet, lawmakers from the House of Representatives and the Senate, and foreign diplomats. 

Outside the Batasan, there is the possibility of conflict between members of the Philippine National Police and members of different activist groups coming from all over the country to protest the presidency of Marcos Jr. 

To prepare for this, an estimated 22,000 police personnel have been deployed all throughout the National Capital Region to provide security for the event.

Today, republicasia will be keeping an eye on the events taking place on the streets as the President lays down his plans for his second year in office. 

Protests begin

Early on Monday morning, hundreds of protesters from different sectoral groups were already on the streets to participate in what they called the “People’s State of the Nation Address.”

Southern Tagalog activists, including fisherfolk group PAMALAKAYA, marched from UP Palma Hall to Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City, to air their call to protect national sovereignty and land and fishing rights, among other issues.

Cyclists, led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan NCR, assembled at the Welcome Rotonda at around 7 a.m. to join other groups along Commonwealth Avenue.

The group called for a P200 immediate wage increase, job regularization, lower prices of commodities, and the junking of Executive No. 70, which created the National Task Force to End Communist Armed Conflict.

Members of transport group PISTON also joined the People’s SONA to protest the government’s public utility vehicle (PUV) phaseout.

Apart from the placards and banners, the militant groups also prepared effigies called “Bootlicker” and “Doble Kara” to air out their concerns and demands to the national government. According to Bayan, the “Doble Kara” effigy depicts Marcos “as a two-face leader” embossed on a “Tallano gold” coin. It symbolizes the “meager” wage increase given to workers in Metro Manila.

Bayan secured a permit from the Quezon City government on July 20 to hold the People’s SONA with various sectoral groups from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.

The permit initially required the groups to strictly observe all guidelines imposed by the Inter-Agency Task Force of the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease, but Marcos lifted the state of public health emergency throughout the country on Saturday. 

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) also lifted COVID-19 protocols on public transportation.

Despite this, some protesters were still wearing face masks.

Aside from the local protests, there are also demonstrations held across the globe, including Asia Pacific and the Americas.

Police deployment

Numerous police personnel were stationed around the protest venue.

Since 12 a.m. today, Philippine National Police personnel have been on the ground to handle rallies that may take place during the SONA, according to Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos. 

The PNP has also coordinated with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority to address the heavy traffic expected to occur as protesters take to the street.

It has set up checkpoints throughout the capital region as well as in Central Luzon and CALABARZON. 

Thousands of members of the Quezon City Police District have also gathered along Commonwealth Avenue to prepare for the arrival of protesters. 

National Capital Region Police Office Regional Director Brig. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartarez Jr. has been monitoring the situation along with QCPD Director Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III. 

Preparations

Weeks before the SONA, the PNP and QCPD already started their security preparations. 

On July 12, PNP chief General Benjamin Acorda Jr. approved the enactment of a gun ban that will begin on July 24 and end on July 25.

This means nobody, except for those that are part of the state security forces or law enforcement groups and wearing their uniforms, may be allowed to carry firearms, regardless of them being licensed or not. 

This ban was enacted in Metro Manila as well as Central Luzon and CALABARZON due to how close these places are to Metro Manila.

Abalos directed the police to practice maximum tolerance in dealing with protesters. 

The PNP said it would be on full alert from July 23 to 25 and shared that its Civil Disturbance Management personnel are ready. 

Acorda said the police would manage any civil disturbance while continuing to uphold the democratic principles and rights of those involved. 

“Our role is to ensure a peaceful event for all those expressing their views and opinions,” he said.