Security preparations begin for final Duterte Sona

AS THEY begin security preparations for President Rodrigo Duterte’s final State of the Nation Address (Sona) scheduled for July 26, 2021, the Philippine National Police (PNP) again urged militant groups to conduct protest activities online during the event.

PNP Chief Guillermo Eleazar said they were engaged in dialogues with various militant groups in order to ensure peace and order during the event as well as to prevent the further spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

“We encourage these groups planning to conduct mass actions to coordinate their activities with the PNP. Pero mas makabubuti sana kung gawin na lamang nilang virtual ang kanilang mga activities para na din sa kaligtasan ng lahat mula sa Covid-19 lalo na’t nakapasok na sa ating bansa ang mas nakahahawang Delta variant,” he said.

The PNP has started safety and security preparation for Duterte’s upcoming Sona.

“No security threat has been monitored. The police force will be on full alert and enough police officers will be deployed to ensure that no untoward incident happens on that day,” said Eleazar.

Brigadier General Antonio Yarra, Quezon City Police District director, said over 7,000 policemen and force multipliers will be deployed to ensure the peace and order in the vicinity of Batasang Pambansa, where Duterte is expected to deliver his final Sona.

He said just like in the past Sona, groups holding picket protests will not be allowed near the venue.

Yarra said groups should get permission to rally from the local government of Quezon City in order for them to be allowed to conduct mass actions, provided they will follow minimum health protocols.

“We will still enforce mga existing laws pertaining to the conduct of the protest action, ang pagbabago lang dito ay madadagdagan ito ng strict enforcement of minimum health protocols para na rin sa kaligtasan ng mga protesters at mga tao around,” he said.

“We will strictly observe ‘yung public gathering in public place, in outdoor particularly sa mga parks, in order not to disturb or affect other people not participating in the rly so concerned din natin yun at hindi lang itong mga magpo-protest,” he added.

Aaron Pedrosa of Sanlakas said they will hold the “People’s Sona” along Commonwealth Avenue.

“Hindi tulad noong nakaraang taon igigiit po natin yung ating karapatan sa panahon na sinisikil at pinatatahimik tayo ginagawang dahilan ang pandemya bagama’t tayo’y strikto sa mga protocols ay sa Commonwealth po natin dadalhin kung saan tradisyunal at taun-taon ginaganap ‘yung People’s SONA na tinatawag,” he said. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo / SunStar Philippines)

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