Protesters urged to not wear jackets, bags during Sona

MANILA, Philippines — National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar on Monday discouraged protesters from wearing jackets and bags as part of the efforts to prevent possible bombings during President Rodrigo Duterte’s State of the Nation Address (Sona) on July 22.

While there is no terror threat being monitored for Duterte’s fourth Sona, Eleazar noted previous cases where terrorists carried improvised explosive devices inside their jackets or bags.

“Nirerequest natin sa kanila ang madiscourage na magdala ng bags at jacket, mas maganda kung madidiscourage (We are discouraging them from carrying bags and jackets. It is better if they will not carry these items). We will bring this out during the stakeholders’ dialogue on Wednesday,” he told reporters in a chance interview at Camp Crame.

Eleazar, however, clarified that the NCRPO cannot forbid Sona protesters, estimated to be around 15,000, from carrying bags and jackets during rallies, since not everyone can be checked by the police anyway.

He earlier said around 15,000 police officers and force multipliers will be deployed within Metro Manila, including around 9,000 in Quezon City where the Batasang Pambansa Complex is situated.

Eleazar added the NCRPO will go on full alert status on the afternoon of July 20, or two days before the Sona, but assured the Metro Manila police are “all set” to enforce security measures for the upcoming event.

He said the police and leaders of protesting groups have also agreed on which areas they are only allowed to stage rallies. /je