PNP: SONA 2024 'generally peaceful,' but charges eyed over effigy burning

The Philippine National Police (PNP) assessed Monday the conduct of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s third State of the Nation Address (SONA) as "generally peaceful," even though charges would be filed against protesters who burned effigies of the Chief Executive.

"Based sa report ng ating [special task force] ground commander, generally peaceful naman 'yung ating naging monitoring sa kabuuan ng SONA," PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo told reporters in an interview.

(Based on the report of our [special task force] ground commander, monitoring of the overall SONA showed that the activity was generally peaceful.)

Fajardo attributed the peaceful SONA to the efforts of other concerned agencies as well as the compliance of protesters and supporters who conducted rallies along Commonwealth Avenue.

"So far po, wala tayong naitala na nanggulo na mga rallyista po, both pro and anti po. At again, we also would like to thank them for honoring 'yung kanilang ibinigay na salita na magbe-behave naman sila at susunod sila doon sa mga, kung ano yung nakasaad sa permit sa kanila," Fajardo said.

(So far, we did not record any protesters, both  among the pro- and anti-administration sides, who caused any commotion. Again, we would like to thank them for honoring their word that they would behalf and comply with what was written in their rally permits.)

According to the PNP spokesperson, the estimated number of pro-administration rally attendees were some 4,500 while anti-administration protesters numbered around 3,000.

The heavy rains were the biggest challenge in the SONA activities this year, according to Fajardo, noting that the crowds dispersed amid the downpour.

The exception to the otherwise peaceful SONA, Fajardo said, was the burning of effigies on Monday morning.

Asked if charges would be filed against those behind the burning, Fajardo said that National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Police Major General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr ordered the documentation of the incidents in compliance with the intent of Batas Pambansa 880 or the Public Assembly Act of 1985.

"Malinaw naman po doon na ang pagsusunog ng anumang object sa lansangan ay that is within the purview po ng implementation ng batas. According to them (NCRPO), aayusin nila at magsasampa sila ng kaso," Fajardo said.

(It is clear that burning of any object on the street is within the purview of the law's implementation. According to the NCRPO, they are preparing to file a case.)

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said Saturday that local law enforcers would not arrest anyone who would be caught burning effigies during Marcos' SONA.

Earlier, Quezon City prosecutors dismissed the second complaint against members of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) over the burning of an effigy of Marcos during a SONA rally in July 2023.

The Office of the City Prosecutor (OCP) dismissed the complaint against the Bayan president Renato Reyes and Maximo Santiago, the artist of the effigy, for violation of Section 13, 3(g) of Batas Pambansa Bilang 880 (BP 880) or the Public Assembly Act of 1985.

Meanwhile, a separate complaint regarding the effigy-burning against Santiago and three John Does was dismissed by the QC Prosecutor's Office in November last year.

Two members of the QC Police District (QCPD) were listed as complainants in both documents. — VDV, GMA Integrated News