Securing Sona 2022: Protesters shout excessive, police say normal

FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Security forces are wrapping up preparations to secure President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr’s first State of the Nation Address (Sona) on July 25 at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City, home of the House of Representatives.

GRAPHIC: Ed Lustan

More than 21,000 personnel would be deployed for security to the event, a leap from the 15,174 personnel previously estimated.

READ: Over 21,000 security personnel to be deployed for Bongbong Marcos’ first Sona

The Philippine National Police (PNP) also repeated its plea to those planning to hold rallies to keep a distance from the Sona venue and stay in these places—UP Diliman campus, compound of the Commission on Human Rights and Quezon Memorial Circle.

In Quezon City, groups can conduct their protests without the need to secure a permit in the UP Diliman campus, compound of the Commission on Human Rights and Quezon Memorial Circle.

GRAPHIC Ed Lustan

But for Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) secretary general Renato Reyes Jr., the ramped-up display of police power was an “overkill and a total waste of public funds.”

However, PNP director for operations Maj. Gen. Valeriano de Leon asserted that preparations for the event should not be viewed as excessive since it was meant to assure security for Marcos’ first Sona.

“There’s no such thing as overkill because, like I said, if you want peace, you have to prepare for war,” said De Leon in an interview with ABS-CBN news on Tuesday (July 19), speaking partly in Filipino and quoting Roman general Vegetius, who originally wrote the phrase in Latin in his book “Epitoma Rei Militaris”.

De Leon added in Filipino: “If the unexpected happens later on, the public will ask: Where is the police?”

But are these security measures normal for a President’s first Sona? INQUIRER.net looks back at security plans put in place during Sona deliveries of two predecessors of Marcos.

Duterte’s Sona in the limelight

Marcos’ immediate predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, won the 2016 presidential race with 16,601,997 votes, or 38 percent of total.

READ: It’s Duterte, Robredo in final count

At Duterte’s first Sona, 25,000 policemen and officers were on standby across Metro Manila to prepare “for any eventuality.”

Of those, 6,000 personnel were stationed near Batasang Pambansa to secure the Sona grounds.

Graphic: Ed Lustan

Military forces were also sent to help police secure the event.

More than 30,000 protesters were allowed to hold rallies closer to Batasang Pambansa at Duterte’s first Sona, which was deemed “historic” by some militant groups since this had not been allowed under previous presidents.

READ: 25K police on alert but authorities expect peaceful Sona rally

There was a turnaround, however, in the treatment of protesters during Duterte’s last Sona in 2021 when the Quezon City Police District set up barriers and a police blockade along Commonwealth Avenue, the main road leading to Batasang Pambansa.

READ: Cops block protesters before reaching target site on Commonwealth Avenue

At least 15,000 security personnel were deployed across the city during the event—1,800 were police officers, while the rest were force multipliers from coordinating organizations and government agencies.

Despite what was said to be a violation of the agreement by police, Bayan secretary general Reyes—who was at the forefront of the mass demonstration—said the protest still “ended peacefully.”

Protests, police for PNoy’s Sona

Before Duterte’s controversial reign, the late President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III won the presidential elections in 2010.

For his first Sona, at least 8,000 security personnel were deployed for security nationwide.

Of this number, 4,500 police officers were stationed in and around Batasang Pambansa.

Activists and progressive groups had requested the government to be allowed to hold mass actions near the Sona venue, noting how this would be a “good gesture” for Aquino as it points to an effort to bridge the gap between the people and the government.

Police, however, were still instructed to set up barricades with barbed wires to block protesters from marching past Ever Gotesco Mall along Commonwealth Avenue, near Batasang Pambansa.

READ: Protesting Aquino’s Sona and how his government reacts

During Aquino’s third Sona in 2012, at least 95 people were hurt and a number of vehicles were damaged when demonstrators clashed with at least 6,000 anti-riot police personnel.

READ: PNP charm offensive on Sona protesters fails

For Aquino’s sixth Sona in 2015, at least 10,000 police officers were detailed in key areas to keep the peace during the event.

At least 2,500 soldiers were on standby to reinforce security forces from the  PNP.

READ: 2,500 soldiers on standby for Aquino’s last Sona

Barriers, shipping containers and concertina wire were also set up along Commonwealth Avenue to prepare for anti-Aquino protests.

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