Rains, COVID fail to dampen street protests against SONA

Rains and the threat of COVID failed to stop militant groups from taking to the streets yesterday to express their dismay over President Duterte’s sixth and final State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Militant organizations and labor groups led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) marched along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City around 11 a.m., their first big march in the area since 2020.

“The unity march of 6,000 to 7,000 protesters from different groups was the highlight of today’s protest. The Duter-tuko mural along with some 50 Wakasan Na! komiks covers were also paraded down Commonwealth Avenue,” Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes said.

A row ensued when rallyists attempted to occupy the entire lane of Commonwealth Avenue on their way to Batasang Pambansa. The huge picket self-dispersed after 1 p.m., later than the scheduled 12:30 p.m.

According to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), more than 8,000 people gathered along Commonwealth Avenue to join the rallies. Only one of the eastbound lanes was passable to motorists, while 300 more rallyists occupied one lane of the westbound portion.

The MMDA said it closed a portion of IBP Road going to Litex and diverted vehicles coming from San Mateo in Rizal and Northview, adding that as of 3 p.m. yesterday, traffic along Commonwealth Avenue was already light to moderate.

In North Caloocan, 10 members of Partido Manggagawa-Bulacan chapter on their way to the rally were apprehended for allegedly violating social distancing protocols, Caloocan police sub-station commander Major Joey Hizon said. Police confiscated their placards and banners.

In Mendiola, around 100 members of pro-government groups League of Parents of the Philippines and Liga Independencia Pilipinas gathered to condemn progressive groups in the Makabayan bloc. The group was prevented from entering Mendiola because they did not have a permit to rally.

“They were dispersed because of the IATF protocols,” Manila Police District director Brig. Gen. Leo Francisco said.

Meanwhile, Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire warned that mass gatherings like antiSONA protest action can become super spreader events for COVID-19.

“Once a number of people are congregating it’s always a possibility,” Vergeire said.

Generally peaceful

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Maj. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. said the antiSONA protests were generally peaceful despite tension between demonstrators and the police over a blockade along Commonwealth Avenue.

“The situation was generally peaceful and the protesters followed our agreement,” Danao said.

Around 11,800 police officers and 3,300 soldiers and other force multipliers secured Duterte’s SONA.

PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar inspected the security coverage along Commonwealth Avenue six hours before the SONA, instructing the police, who were wearing body cameras, to observe maximum tolerance. – With Rhodina Villanueva, Ding Cervantes, Ghio Ong, Marc Jayson Cayabyab, Emmanuel Tupas, Evelyn Macairan