Authorities anticipate SONA without incident
PRO- and anti-government ralliers are expected to gather today, July 24, within the area of the Batasang Pambansa, amid security staying alert and in place as President Rodrigo R. Duterte delivers his second State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Chief Supt. Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar, District director of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), said in a phone interview yesterday that, “Everything is prepared, based on plan. We are doing last minute coordination now.”
Mr. Eleazar also said that, despite the Quezon City police expecting a larger crowd of protesters, the police expect a peaceful SONA.
“Yes, we are [expecting that]. We have coordination with the groups who will participate here. Even for the pro-(Duterte groups). It is just a matter of implementation of what ( has) been discussed among us, and the commitment from their part,” Mr. Eleazar said, referring to dialogues held with ralliers weeks before the event.
The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) for its part said in its press release last week: “[P]rotesters will be allowed to occupy three lanes on the northbound of Commonwealth Avenue. No barbed wires and container vans will be put up to block protesters, but plastic barriers will be installed near the Batasang Pambansa Complex. Likewise, a 200-meter boundary is established between the rally(iers) and the Batasan gate.”
“Stricter security measures will be enforced in anticipation of all possible threats. A no-fly zone, which includes drones, will be in effect during the SONA,” PCOO also said.
NO THREAT MONITORED
The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has deployed a 6,000-strong police force — more than last year’s 4,000 policemen — including Civil Disturbance Management (CDM) units and a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team.
“No batons, shields, or firearms, however, will be used by CDM cops who are tasked to manage protests,” PCOO added.
The Joint Task Force — National Capital Region (JTF-NCR) is expected to provide support. “The JTF-NCR’s elements are coming from the Army, Navy, Air Force, contingents to support the Philippine National Police,” Col. Edgard A. Arevalo, spokesperson of the Public Affairs Office, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), said in an interview yesterday.
There will also be assistance from the Bureau of Fire Protection. Emergency personnel and ambulances will also be on standby.
According to Mr. Eleazar, the PNP has not monitored any security threat.
Mr. Arevalo, for his part, affirmed that no threats to SONA have been monitored by the AFP. “So far, we have not monitored any threat. But you know our standard, we are not really about the presence of threat or not. For our part, we will always be proactive. All coordination and conferences that we have to do for our counterpart, the PNP, we have already done, and we are hopeful for a peaceful and meaningful SONA,” Mr. Arevalo said.
TRAFFIC ADVISORY
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), for its part, released a traffic advisory yesterday advising those coming from Commonwealth Avenue westbound to turn right at Fairlane, right at Dalia, left at Chestnut and then straight to Sauyo Road to Mindanao Avenue to destination (and vice-versa). Those coming from SM Fairview/Robinsons are advised to take Quirino Highway, straight to Mindanao Avenue to destination. And those coming from Fairview/Mindanao Avenue are advised to turn right at Jordan Plains, straight to Quirino Highway to Mindanao Avenue to destination.
About 2,000 traffic enforcers are expected to be deployed. The Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program, or “number-coding” of vehicles, will remain in effect.
The Plenary Hall will be open to guests at 2 p.m.