EASTERN Visayas was “generally peaceful” during the second State of the Nation Address (Sona) of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday, July 24, 2023, a top police official in the region said.
“The peaceful conduct of the Sona evidently shows the improved trust of the populace in the government,” said Brigadier General Vincent Calanoga, police regional director.
He lauded the cooperation of the general public, saying “it significantly contributed to the peaceful and orderly outcome of the Sona.”
The police regional command said no serious or any untoward incident was recorded in the entire Eastern Visayas on Monday.
Some 983 police personnel were deployed to launch “maximum police presence” in different areas of convergence to ensure the safety of the public.
“Prior to the national event, a full alert status was also established to implement security measures,” Calanoga said.
On Monday, some 60 participants from Eastern Visayas Peace Builders Development Federation, Metro Tacloban Integrated Peace and Development Workers Federation, and Calbiga Peace Builders joined in the pro-government mass gathering in Tacloban City.
Several members of civil society and progressive organizations also gathered in the city for protest action to coincide with the Sona.
“Palakasin ang hanay ng mga uring nagpapakain sa ating bayan sa pamamagitan ng ‘Kooperatibismo’ kung saan walang kapitalista ang magmamay ari, kokontrol, at nagkakamal ng dambuhalang tubo sa pamamagitan ng pawis ng mga maliit. Itigil na ang elitistang pang gobyernuhan,” said Dhon Daganasol, of Sanlakas-Leyte.
(Strengthen the ranks of the classes that feed our people through "Cooperativism" where no capitalist owns or controls and collects huge profits through the sweat of the little ones. Stop the elitist government.)
The groups include Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP), Partido Lakas ng Masa (PLM), women’s group Oriang, Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC), and University of the Philippines (UP) Anakbayan-Eastern Visayas. (SunStar Philippines)