PNP to exercise maximum tolerance on SONA protesters

Maximum tolerance will be implemented for protesters who will participate in the rallies during the State of the Nation Address of (SONA) of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on July 24, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Thursday.

“Maximum tolerance pa rin po ang i-implement po ng inyong Pambansang Pulisya (The PNP will implement a maximum tolerance for protesters),” PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo told GMA Integrated News’ Unang Balita.

Citing information from the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), Fajardo said two requests for a permit to rally have been received so far.

She said PNP personnel will be deployed to monitor rallyists as they are only allowed within the designated areas.

At least 25,000 PNP personnel will be deployed in Metro Manila for the occasion.

On Tuesday, progressive group Bayan said the SONA protests will be bigger this year with thousands of protesters and 50 organizations expected to join.

“The SONA protest this year will be bigger compared to last year. Mas maraming galit. Mas marami ang naliwanagan. Kasama yung mga kababayan natin na gustong i-register yung protest doon sa mga polisiya ni Marcos,” Bayan Secretary General Mong Palatino said.

(The SONA protest this year will be bigger compared to last year. More people are angry and enlightened. Together with our countrymen who would like to register their protest against Marcos’ policies.)

In the morning of the SONA, different groups will gather in different areas to conduct their own programs before they merge in the Commonwealth-Tandang Sora area in Quezon City, he said.

Palatino said the groups of different sectors would merge at the CHR office by 11 a.m. before they march to the Commonwealth-Tandang Sora area for the “People’s SONA” program.

The program will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

According to Palatino, the event would mainly support calls by the labor sector for a wage increase. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA Integrated News