PNP eyes allowing SONA protesters until Tandang Sora, pro-admin around COA

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has recommended allowing protesters only up to Commonwealth Avenue-Tandang Sora Avenue during the third State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday.

Interviewed on Unang Balita, PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said they also suggested to the Quezon City government that they allow pro-adminstration rallies around the Commission on Audit (COA) building area. 

“Ang nire-recommend po natin sa LGU particularly dyan sa Quezon City ay bandang Tandang Sora na lamang po sila para masiguro natin yung mga daan na malapit sa Batasan Complex ay hindi po magkakaroon ng mabigat na daloy ng trapiko,” she said. 

(What we are recommending to the Quezon City LGU is for protesters to be allowed until Tandang Sora only to avoid heavy traffic near the Batasan Complex.)

“[Ang mga pro-government] naman po ay doon po natin sila ilalagay doon sa bandang COA po para medyo malayo po ang pagitan nila para maiwasan po ang tensyon,” she added.

(The pro-government rallies will be around the COA area to avoid possible clashes.)

According to Fajardo, police personnel will ensure protesters stay in their designated areas in case they attempt to get near Batasan Complex. 

Two to three groups have already applied for a permit to hold rallies on SONA day, so far. 

Deployment

Around 22,000 police personnel will be deployed to secure the SONA, according to the PNP. 

“Ang nakikita po natin last time po mga 22,000 na-deploy, ganun pa rin po. Unless we see may mga threats po, there will be more,” PNP chief Police General Rommel Marbil said.

(We deployed around 22,000 last time, and it may be the same for this year. Unless we see some threats, then we will add more.)

“Right now, we don't see any threats but ang sinasabi ko, go signal ko, of course, you have to see yung inconvenience (but what I am saying is we should look at possible inconveniences),” he added.

The Permit to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence (PTCFOR) Secretariat said PTCFORs are suspended from July 20 to 22 in Metro Manila in light of the SONA. 

Progressive groups will march and engage in protest activities during Marcos’ SONA, according to Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan).

Marbil said the PNP will provide maximum tolerance to the protesters, but he appealed to them to make sure not to cause any inconveniences to the public.

Marcos earlier instructed the House of Representatives to accommodate everyone who wants to attend the SONA.

“There are a lot of people who would like to attend this SONA this July 22nd. And he (Marcos) said to me, accommodate all of them,'” House Secretary General Reginald Velasco said.

Velasco said more than 2,000 individuals from the government, the private sector, and non-government organizations have signified their desire to attend the SONA.

With the seating capacity of the session hall limited to 2,000, the House of Representatives will add seats in and open several function rooms to accommodate additional guests.

As a security measure, the Batasang Pambansa will be locked down starting July 19, the Friday before the SONA. —VAL, GMA Integrated News