Rain or shine, SONA protests will roll; no security threat seen

Neither heavy rains nor floods will stop protesters in holding mass demonstrations today as President Duterte delivers his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) in Quezon City.

“Tuloy-tuloy na ito. Rain or shine. Hindi po mapipigilan ng anumang bagyo ang daluyong ng

manggagawa at mamamayan bukas sa protesta sa ikatlong SONA ni Pangulong Duterte upang ipanawagan na tuluyan na ibasura ang lahat ng porma ng kontraktwalisasyon at para iregularisa ang lahat ng mangaggawang kontraktwal (The protests will push through. Rain or shine. This cannot be stopped by a typhoon. Citizens will call on President Duterte to remove all forms of contractualization during his third SONA),” Ed Cubelo, Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) Metro Manila chairperson, said yesterday.

Labor groups camped in Mendiola in preparation to Pres. Duterte’s third SONA. It was dubbed as “Kampuhan Kontra Kontraktwalisasyon” (KKK).

Cause oriented-groups, KMU – Metro Manila, Alyansa ng mga Manggagawa Laban sa Kontraktwalisasyon (ALMA Kontraktwal), Defend Job Philippines and Kilos Na Manggagawa said that they are set to hold an “Anti-Contractualization Caravan” on Monday from Mendiola to the University of the Philippines before merging with other groups in a march towards Commonwealth Avenue.

The groups said an early-morning protest rally will be held on Monday as they dismantle their tents in Mendiola before proceeding with the caravan.

Meanwhile, Southern Tagalog activists added finishing touches to their “Dutertemonyo” effigy that they will burn in their version of a “United People’s SONA.” The effigy portrays Duterte as a demon — with two horns.

No threat – AFP The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said it has has not monitored any potential threats that could jeopardize the President’s third SONA.

Col. Noel Detoyato, AFP Public Affair chief, released a statement saying that as of July 22, the military has not received intelligence reports that local terrorist groups are planning to conduct attacks to disrupt the SONA.

“However, its (AFP) forces will continue to be on a proactive stance against all threats of violence and will exert every effort to preserve the peace, particularly in the National Capital Region (NCR) where the seat of the government is in,” Detoyato said.

Highest police alert

Police forces throughout the country are also on the highest security alert status beginning 5 a.m. today.

Senior Supt. Benigno Durana, spokesman of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said the alert status provides for the deployment of police in various areas in Metro Manila, particularly near the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City, where the President will deliver his SONA.

More than 6,000 policemen will be deployed in various areas in Quezon City and other areas, particularly in the expected converging points of protesters.

Church weighs in

Meanwhile, church leaders said they want President Duterte to give a true picture of the situation of the country.

Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo said this means reporting to the people not only the administration’s socalled achievements, but also what it has failed to do.

“He should give a true picture of the situation of the country both the positive and the negative state,” he said in an interview.

The head of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission on the Laity is actually curious as to what Duterte will say in his SONA.

“I want to hear Duterte’s SONA because as of my own assessment he didn’t achieve anything positive for the country because what we have are high inflation, high prices, more killings, loss of sovereignty to China, more fear and human rights violations,” said Pabillo.

The United Church of Christ in the Philippines Council of Bishops meantime, lamented the failure of the President to fulfill the change he promised to bring.

“On July 23, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte will again face the nation to account for all his actions before the Filipino people. What do we expect to hear from him this time around? Should we be persuaded again by new promises and treacheries,” the group said in a statement. (With reports from Leslie Ann G. Aquino and Aaron B. Recuenco)