PNP to recalibrate SONA security

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) will recalibrate its security deployment for President Marcos’ first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday after the Quezon City government allowed rallies along two major roads.

Mayor Joy Belmonte has allowed cause-oriented groups to hold a march and assembly along Commonwealth Avenue up to the corner of Tandang Sora Avenue while pro-Marcos groups were given the green light to hold their program along IBP Road near Sinagtala street in Barangay Batasan Hills.

In response, PNP officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. said yesterday they abide by the decision of the city government.

“We will make the necessary adjustments just to ensure that we play no favor to any group,” he said in a statement.

According to Danao, they will coordinate with concerned government agencies and offices to avoid confusion and inconvenience.

Danao appealed to organizers to conduct their activities peacefully.

At least 22,000 state security forces and force multipliers will secure Marcos’ SONA.

While the standing order to police officers is to exercise maximum tolerance, Danao said demonstrators should not commit unruly acts.

Danao vowed that lawmen will not hesitate to use necessary force against protesters who resort to violence.

Belmonte lauded

Meanwhile, Renato Reyes, secretary general of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN), thanked Belmonte for her timely intervention and giving cause-oriented groups a chance to be heard.

He expressed gratitude to Belmonte for asserting the authority of the local government over the PNP in granting permits for public assemblies.

“This clearly defeats the ‘no rally zone’ policy of the PNP, which is not only illegal but is also a usurpation of the authority of the mayor to approve rally permits,” Reyes said in a statement.

The PNP earlier barred cause-oriented groups from holding rallies along Commonwealth Avenue, explaining it would only result in public disorder and heavy traffic.

Reyes lambasted the PNP for what he described as its double standard after learning the pro-Marcos groups were allowed to hold their own activity along IBP Road.

“The PNP continues to think that a different set of rights exists for pro-Marcos groups and the critics of the regime,” he said.