Apart from civil disturbance units, PNP deploys HR officers too

Aside from civil disturbance management units, the Philippine National Police (PNP) had also deployed human rights officers at the State of the Nation Address (Sona) protests in Quezon City.

PNP chief Dir. Gen. Oscar Albayalde said Monday they have deployed human rights officers to respond to any untoward incidents or clashes between the police and protesters.

“Before the deployment ng ating mga pulis ay na-brief sila on human rights at meron tayong mga human rights officers in every contingent doon sa Sona area,” Albayalde said in an ambush interview at Camp Crame.

(Before our policemen’s deployment, they were briefed about human rights and there were human rights officers deployed in every contingent in Sona area.)

The PNP is on full alert status for the third Sona of President Rodrigo Duterte even as there were no reported threats that may arise during the demonstrations.

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has deployed over 7,000 policemen to secure the Sona, one of the biggest annual political events in the country.

Violence had marred Sona protests, which, however, became more calm under the Duterte administration as the police and protesters held dialogues in preparation for the event.

Last week, NCRPO Director Chief Supt. Guillermo Eleazar and Quezon City Police District Director Chief Supt. Joselito Esquivel Jr. held a dialogue with militant groups about the full conduct of the protesters’ rallies in Commonwealth Avenue.

More than 20,000 people are set to join the rallies, the main program of which will be held around 2 p.m. Monday in front of St. Peter’s Chapel. /kga

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Albayalde speaks to human rights officers here at Commonwealth Avenue and asks them to observe their duties during the conduct of the #Sona2018 rally @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/pw1aPbl0N2

— Jhoanna Ballaran (@jhoannaballaran) July 23, 2018