LOOK: Protesters gather along Commonwealth ahead of Marcos’ 3rd Sona

Live Updates: SONA 2024

MANILA, Philippines — Protesters have started converging along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City, hours before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers his third State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday afternoon.

As of 7 a.m., approximately 800 members of Bagong Alyansa Makabayan (Bayan) Southern Tagalog (ST) from Calabarzon staged a protest and displayed Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte’s effigy near Diliman Doctors Hospital, along Commonwealth Avenue.

According to the group’s leaders, they will join the protest of other organizations under Bayan around 1 p.m. at the University of the Philippines.

Incumbent presidents address the nation every fourth Monday of July to report the government’s achievements, unveil their agenda, and ask Congress to pass priority measures.

READ: Kabataan party-list prepares ‘protest barong’ for Marcos’ Sona

To ensure public safety during this year’s Sona, the Philippine National Police (PNP) will deploy 23,000 personnel to Metro Manila.

PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said that Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City is a no-rally zone, but protesters are allowed until Tandang Sora.

Fajardo likewise reminded that burning of effigies will not be allowed, and they will arrest those who will violate the existing laws.

Under Section 13 of Batas Pambansa 880, “malicious” burning of objects on the streets is prohibited.