Sona cops, protesters cool down in thunderstorm

SCREENGRAB FROM PAGASA FACEBOOK PAGE

Policemen and protesters who gathered in Quezon City for the last State of the Nation Address (Sona) of President Benigno Aquino III found themselves in the same cold and wet situation when a thunderstorm hit them before noon Monday.

Rain fell as predicted by the Philippines Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) in its thunderstorm warning issued at 11:35 a.m.

The sudden heavy downpour followed tension between the police and the demonstrators after the protesters captured, mauled and detained two undercover lawmen who reportedly tried to join their ranks.

Anti-riot policemen who formed a security line across the Batasang Pambansa-bound lane of Commonwealth Avenue, hid under their shields, while demonstrators huddled under trees on the highway’s center island and under pedestrian overpasses.

In its thunderstorm bulletin, Pagasa said rain and thunder could persist up to 2:30 p.m. in Metro Manila, Rizal, Pampanga and Bulacan. CB