SONA UPDATE: PNP SEES NO THREAT ON PBBM’s 3rd SONA, SETS UP MEASURES TO PREVENT CLASHES BETWEEN PRO-GOV’T, ANTI-GOV’T RALLYISTS

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Despite the absence of threats, the Philippine National Police (PNP) is not taking any chances as around 22,000 police personnel will be deployed to secure the third State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

This developed as the Batasang Pambansa was locked down starting Friday (19 July 2024) as part of the security measures.

“Ang nakikita po natin last time po mga 22,000 na-deploy, ganun pa rin po. Unless we see may mga threats po, there will be more,” PNP chief Police General Rommel Marbil said.

“Right now, we don’t see any threats but ang sinasabi ko, go signal ko, of course, you have to see yung inconvenience (but what I am saying is we should look at possible inconveniences),” he stressed.

For her part, PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo on Friday (19 July 2024) said they also suggested to the Quezon City government that they allow pro-administration rallies around the Commission on Audit (COA) building area.

The PNP has recommended allowing anti-government protesters only up to Commonwealth Avenue-Tandang Sora Avenue during the SONA on Monday, July 22.

“Ang nire-recommend po natin sa LGU particularly dyan sa Quezon City ay bandang Tandang Sora na lamang po sila para masiguro natin yung mga daan na malapit sa Batasan Complex ay hindi po magkakaroon ng mabigat na daloy ng trapiko,” Fajardo said.

She added: “Ang mga pro-government (groups) naman po ay doon po natin sila ilalagay doon sa bandang COA po para medyo malayo po ang pagitan nila para maiwasan po ang tensyon.”

According to Fajardo, police personnel will ensure protesters stay in their designated areas in case they attempt to get near Batasan Complex.

House Secretary General Reginald “Reggie” Velasco said the President earlier instructed to accommodate everyone who wants to attend the SONA.

“There are a lot of people who would like to attend this SONA this July 22nd. And he (Marcos Jr.) said to me, accommodate all of them,’” Velasco said.

He added that more than 2,000 individuals from the government, the private sector, and non-government organizations (NGOs) have signified their desire to attend the SONA.

With the seating capacity of the session hall limited to 2,000, Velasco said the House of Representatives will add seats and open several function rooms to accommodate additional guests.

(el Amigo/mnm)