PNP asks protesters to listen to Marcos’ SONA instead, militant group resists

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Sunday called on those  planning to hold protest rallies during the first State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. set on July 25, to listen to his plans for the country and monitor his performance during his term instead.

A militant group however rejected this.

In a Super Radyo dzBB interview, PNP Director for Operations Police Major General Valeriano de Leon said the voice of the 31 million Filipinos who voted for Marcos during Eleksyon 2022 elections should be respected on that day.

“Makakabuti sa ating mamamayan na makinig dito sa sasabihin ng Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. dahil dito magsasabi siya ng direksyon ng ating bansa sa susunod na anim na taon. Kaya ‘wag na sana mag-rally ang ating mga kababayan at i-monitor na lang ang kanyang gagawin sa buong termino niya,” he said.

(It will be good for our people to listen to what President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has to say regarding the direction of our country in the next six years. So, I hope our countrymen will no longer rally and just monitor what he will do throughout his term.)

“Kung meron mang mga hindi man matupad diyan ay baka may legitimate issue. But for the meantime, let us respect the voice of the 31 million Filipinos,” he added.

(If any of his plans don’t push through, then there may be a legitimate issue. But for the meantime, let us respect the voice of the 31 million Filipinos.)

This proposal was, however, disapproved by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) secretary general Renato Reyes Jr., stressing that the SONA is an occasion for the public to air their grievances and urge the government to act on their most pressing concerns.

“General de Leon again displays a narrow understanding of how democracy should work. All have the right to be heard, including critics of Mr. Marcos. Those who disagree with Mr. Marcos and are opposed to his policies have the right to protest government and demand redress of their grievances,” he said.

“What General de Leon seems to be suggesting is for people to simply stay at home and watch TV like and give up their democratic interests. This will not happen,” Reyes continued.

De Leon pointed out that rallies will still be allowed on the day of the SONA but only in local government unit-permitted areas and freedom parks.

Demonstrations along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City going to Batasang Pambansa, the venue of the SONA, will also be prohibited to avoid traffic, he said.

In response, Reyes told the PNP that it is not them, but the mayor of an LGU that grants permits under the law.

He said that their group filed an application for a permit on July 15 before the Quezon City LGU to hold a rally along Batasan Road.

“In any case, the people will actively exercise their Constitutional right to peaceful protest despite the repression being imposed by the PNP and the Marcos regime. It is important the true state of the nation be heard, as a counterpoint to lies and disinformation about the country’s situation,” he said.

The National Capital Region Police Office said Saturday more than 21,000 security forces will be deployed for the event.

A gun ban will also be imposed in Metro Manila from July 22 to July 27 to secure the SONA, according to the PNP. —KG, GMA News