PNP to Sona protesters: Give Bongbong Marcos admin a chance

(FILE) Protesters converge along Commonwealth Avenue ahead of President Rodrigo Duterte’s second Sona. JHESSET ENANO/INQUIRER

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is appealing to those intending to hold protest demonstrations during the first State of the Nation Address (Sona) of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to give his administration a chance.

Marcos will deliver his first Sona on July 25 at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City.

“Walang pang isang buwan na nakakaupo ang ating Pangulong Marcos (It hasn’t been a month since President Marcos assumed office), so we appeal [for] the protesters to first hear his plans and how they will be implemented,” PNP director for operations, Major General Valeriano de Leon, said in a statement Thursday.

“Let us give the new administration under the leadership of President Marcos a chance to prove its capability to run the government well,” De Leon added.

De Leon also noted that the security measures to be employed for Marcos’ first Sona will “not be as stringent as the inauguration” since it will be conducted in a closed building.

He, however, reiterated that protesters will only be allowed to gather in designated freedom parks as this strategy was “proven successful” during Marcos’ oath-taking ceremony last June 30.

“We expect rallyists to air their issues, but we encourage them to hold this in the right venue. There will be dialogue on this matter with them,” he added.

De Leon said concerned police offices have already presented their proposed security plan for Marcos’ first Sona to Interior Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr.

“The presentation was impressive, but there will be minor adjustments in the actual deployment,” he noted.

The National Capital Region Police Office earlier announced that a total of 15,174 security personnel will be deployed for Marcos’ first Sona — 9,919 from the NCRPO, 1,891 from the Philippine National Police (PNP), and 3,364 from other law enforcement agencies.

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