NATIONAL Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Guillermo Eleazar on Monday, July 22, said the conduct of the fourth State of the Nation Address (Sona) of President Rodrigo Duterte was generally peaceful.
"Very peaceful in the sense na wala man lang ni isang untoward incident at confrontation between the police and the protesters (Not one untoward incident or confrontation between the police and the protesters was reported)," he said in an interview.
He attributed this to the good coordination between the leaders of the militant groups and the police.
Several dialogues between the police and the militant groups were held ahead of the Sona, which the President delivered before the Joint Session of Congress late Monday afternoon.
Eleazar commended the militant groups for keeping their word and policing their ranks.
Around 15,000 policemen were deployed in Metro Manila during the Sona, including 8,500 who were assigned in Quezon City, particularly in the vicinity of the House of Representatives (Batasan) complex and along Commonwealth Avenue, where the protest actions by various groups were held.
Eleazar said around 5,500 people joined the anti-Duterte protest actions while some 3,500 joined the activity showing support for the President.
The protesters immediately dispersed after the program.
For his part, Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes thanked the police, particularly Eleazar for initiating such coordination which benefits both parties.
"We thank General Eleazar for initiating the dialogue and this peaceful rally only proves na lahat nadadaan sa mabuting usapan," said Reyes.
Not only that the protest actions were peaceful, Reyes also noted that as promised, they left Commonwealth Avenue trash-free. (SunStar Philippines)