Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 17) — The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it has yet to receive applications for permits from groups planning to hold protest actions, two weeks before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s second State of the Nation Address.
But PNP spokesperson PCol Jean Fajardo said they are ready for any eventuality, as different groups are expected to troop to the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City on Monday, July 24.
“As of yesterday po wala pa nare-receive ang QCPD (Quezon City Police District) any application or information coming from Quezon City kung may mga nag-apply ng permit,” said Fajardo.
“Just the same, habang nag-aantay, we anticipate na kung mapapagbigyan man. Kaya po this week nag-e-expect tayo na magkakaroon ng simulation exercises, communication exercises, walk-throughs, clearing operations at ating mga contingency planning in case may mga rallies,” she added.
[Translation: As of yesterday, the QCPD has not received any application or information from Quezon City that any group has applied for a permit. Just the same, we are anticipating that some will be granted. That’s why this week, we expect to have simulation exercises, communication exercises, walk-throughs, clearing operations, as well as contingency planning in case there are rallies.]The PNP urges groups to hold protest actions at the Quezon City Memorial Circle, the city’s designated freedom park. It added that it is prepared in case groups decide to march from the University of the Philippines Diliman campus, but said they will only be allowed up to the Luzon Avenue Flyover along Commonwealth Avenue.
“That’s the farthest they can go,” said Fajardo. “Pinapakiusapan po natin doon sa mga kababayan natin na mag-i-insist mag-martsa, definitely hindi sila papayagan mag-martsa ng napakatagal and this might obstruct traffic.”
[Translation: For those who will insist, they will not be allowed to march for too long and this might obstruct traffic.]The PNP said it has not monitored any threats so far that would disrupt the president’s address on Monday. It assured the public that maximum tolerance would be exercised towards protest groups.
The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) earlier said over 20,000 policemen would be deployed during the SONA.
NCRPO Regional Director PMGen Edgar Alan Okubo said 17,121 will come from police districts in Metro Manila, while 4,460 will be from various government agencies, including the Special Action Force, the Aviation Security Group, the Philippine Coast Guard, the Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.He said some 500 individuals from volunteer groups will serve as force multipliers.
