Bato admits: Sona protesters make me nervous

Protesters march along Elliptical road towards Commonwealth Ave. EDWIN BACASMAS/INQUIRER

The huge crowd expected to protest near the Batasan as President Rodrigo Duterte is delivering his second State of the Nation Address (Sona) is making Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa nervous.

“Kinakabahan ako. Marami sila eh. I hope they will toe the line. Prepared naman tayo. Maximum tolerance, ‘yun ang guidance natin sa tropa. At sana sumunod din sila (protesters),” he told reporters on Monday after visiting the policemen deployed near the stage of the protest.

(I am nervous. They are a lot. I hope they will toe the line. We are prepared. We asked the troop to observe maximum tolerance. And I hope the protesters cooperate too.)

READ: Bato tells Sona cops: Practice maximum tolerance

The PNP earlier estimated 20,000 protesters to attend the event as the President delivers his speech at 4 p.m.

Dela Rosa also hoped there would be a peaceful and orderly Sona, and even wished for rain.

“Sana maitawid natin itong Sona na walang mangyaring masama (We hope we’ll get through Sona without any untoward incident happening). That’s why we are praying for rain,” he said.

While they have not monitored any security threats, Dela Rosa said they are still looking out for agitators that could spoil the event.

“Kabado tayo na masingitan ‘yung kanilang grupo, sana walang makasingit, sana na-discipline nila (We are nervous that agitators may instigate them. I hope that does not happen and that they remain disciplined),” he said. IDL/rga