Protesters to defy police warning against effigy burning in SONA

Metro Manila, Philippines — Protesters will defy police warning against burning effigies on the day of the State of the Nation Address (SONA), a leader said on Tuesday, July 16.

In an interview with NewsWatch Plus, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) president Renato Reyes said the police prohibition is baseless.

“We have consulted our lawyers at sinasabi nga na iyong pagsusunog ng effigy ay part of protected speech. Ito ay bahagi ng freedom of expression as long as hindi naman ito lumikha ng anumang panganib sa public health at safety,” he said.

[Translation: We have consulted our lawyers and they told us burning an effigy is part of protected speech. It is part of our freedom of expression as long as this doesn’t threaten public health and safety.]

The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) earlier warned protesters they will arrest those who will burn effigies during SONA.

Reyes said the effigy will center on the escalating rift between the families of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte.

“Kakaiba ito sa mga nagdaang SONA kasi nga this year, nakita na natin very intense ang banggaan ng mga Marcoses at Duterte. Pero nagaganap iyang mga awayan nila sa gitna ng napakaraming problema ng mamamayan,” he said.

[Translation: This is different from previous SONA because this year, we have seen a very intense rift between the Marcoses and Duterte. Yet these are all happening amid a multitude of problems faced by our citizens.]

Protesters will also toss a huge ball during the protest to criticize the “Bagong Pilipinas” slogan of the Marcos administration.

“The theme for this SONA that we anticipate, the president’s theme would be Bagong Pilipinas. Ang counterpoint naman namin doon ay iyong Bolang Pilipinas. Ibig sabihin mukha iyong Bagong Pilipinas ay pambobola lang sa publiko,” said Reyes.

[Translation: We’re anticipating that the President’s theme for SONA would be his New Philippines campaign. Our counterpoint then is Bolang Pilipinas. This means, the rhetoric is just fooling the public]

Reyes said thousands of rallyists will join their activities on Monday. The Philippine National Police earlier announced it will deploy over 22,000 police officers on SONA day.