Police ready for SONA protests
Should militant groups stage protests when President Duterte delivers his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) tomorrow, the local police are ready to control the crowd.
The Police Regional Office in Central Visayas yesterday morning conducted a civil disturbance management (CDM) drill in preparation for the president’s SONA.
The drill is aimed at maintaining the peace and order during the SONA.
Police Chief Superintendent Jose Mario Espino, PRO-7 director, said Cebu’s militant groups promised to hold a “peaceful” protest rally tomorrow. He met the representatives of some cause-oriented groups last Thursday.
More than 200 CDM personnel from Lapu-Lapu City Police, Mandaue City Police, Cebu City Police, Cebu Provincial Police Office, and Regional Public Safety Battalion joined the drill.
Espino said police still have a lot to improve on.
“This was the first time that you hold this kind of drill. Sa umpisa talagang mangangapa tayo dahil matagal ng hindi nakagawian na mag-conduct ng CDM operation,” he said.
He advised his personnel “to remain calm and to keep grounded during the operation.”
For his part, Colonel Medel Aguilar, Armed Forces of the Philippines Central Command spokesperson, asked militant groups not to cause further trouble.
“To our rallyists, please don't distract and drag our attention away from the real and present threat our country faces right now. Allow us to finish the task as early as possible. Pakiusap lang po,” Aguilar said.