PNP: Three groups approved to stage rally during Sona

MANILA, Philippines — Three groups have been granted permission by the Quezon City local government to stage a rally along Commonwealth Avenue on Monday, July 27, during the fifth State of the Nation Address (Sona) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The three multi-sectoral groups are the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, Sanlakas, and Better Brighter, PNP public information chief Col. Allen Rae Co said during a press briefing  on Thursday.

He added that, aside from the three groups, applications from other groups to hold public demonstrations on Monday are still pending approval.

READ: NCRPO: 4 groups plan protests during Marcos 5th Sona

Earlier, the National Capital Region Police Office said that four groups had sought permits from the Quezon City local government.

“We will be deploying an appropriate number of personnel to assist in the traffic situation, of course to ensure the safety of all participants and the general public,” Co stated.

Co reiterated that it will deploy more than 20,000 personnel for security and public safety measures during the Sona.

READ: PNP to deploy over 20000 cops for Marcos 5th Sona

“And we are right now in the process of coordinating with the MMDA (Metropolitan Manila Development Authority) and other agencies to fix the traffic,” he said.

Meanwhile, Co said that the PNP is continuously coordinating with church leaders of the Iglesia Ni Cristo on their expected 112th founding anniversary celebration, also on Monday.

“As of this time, we’re still coordinating, continuing ang ating coordination with the church leaders as to where they will hold their anniversary,” Co said. /das