10K PROTESTERS EXPECTED OUT IN DUTERTE’S SONA
PNP says there will be no barricades, barbed wires; protests in past years have not been unruly
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is expecting over 10,000 protesters during the third State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, July 23, PNP chief Oscar Albayalde said.
Albayalde said just like in Duterte’s previous SONA, there will be no barbed wires or cargo containers, which were used by the previous administration, especially during the SONA, as a defense in case protesters become unruly.
“We will not have barricades or container vans because there’s communication between the PNP and militant sector. I think, over the years, they did not become unruly and I hope this year will be the same as last year,” he said.
Albayalde said militant group leaders have promised they will police their ranks and ensured they will hold their programs and protest in a peaceful and orderly manner.
He said the over 6,000 policemen who will be deployed to ensure the security and peace and order during the SONA were reminded to exercise maximum tolerance.
The police will be augmented by at least 600 soldiers who will be fielded by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), personnel from the PNP-Special Action Force, the force multipliers from the barangay and the Quezon City Local Government as well as from the non-government organization.
“Basically, if they will break the peace and order, that’s one, and we do not know their feelings but it would not happen unless somebody in the group may infiltrate. That’s what we’ll avoid here and we’ll give what they want if we can,” he said.