PNP CHIEF Gen. Nicolas Torre III yesterday told policemen who will be deployed to secure President Marcos Jr’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday to respect the rights of individuals who are expected to hold protest actions on that day.
In a press briefing at Camp Crame, Torre also said the PNP has yet to monitor any threat to the president’s fourth SONA to be held at the House of Representatives at the Batasan Pambansa Complex in Quezon City.
“Let us respect Filipinos who want to express their opinion,” Torre said adding is “natural” for some sectors to express their opinion, which he said is a “sign of a healthy democracy.”
Around 12,000 policemen from the National Capital Region Office will be deployed to secure this year’s SONA, according to Torre.
While protesters are free to express their sentiments “with the full freedom of expression,” Torre said, they should also respect the policemen.
He could not immediately say if the PNP will allow protesters to burn effigies.
“That’s ticklish. We have no direct answer to that,” he said., noting that while protesters have the freedom of expression, there are also environmental laws that prohibit burning of materials, including tires.
Torre said the PNP is coordinating with the various groups that are planning to hold protest actions to ensure peace and order during the rally.
On jamming communication signals at the vicinity of Batasang Pambansa complex, and implementing a no-fly zone, Torre said it is the decision of the Presidential Security Command.
On a ban gun, Torre said he will have to consult Interior Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla and other agencies on the matter, but will not recommend it because criminals will always carry firearms. A ban will affect only the legal gun owners, he said.
The PNP implemented gun ban in Metro Manila during last year’s SONA.
Torre also said security preparations for the SONA are already “in full swing.”
“This is a national event of great significance and as always, the PNP is in the frontlines of ensuring the peaceful and orderly conduct,” he said.
He urged concerned units to ensure that security preparations are “executed to the highest standards.”
“We will not only secure the event but also preserve peace, uphold public order and protect the rights of all sectors involved including the protesters,” he said.
“I also urge all commanders to make sure that operational guidelines are clear, personnel are briefed and trained and logistics are in place,” he said.
The House is “90 to 95 percent ready” to host the SONA, said the chamber’s spokesperson, Princess Abante.
“Most of the preparations are already finalized… I think in a while the interagency delegation will have a walkthrough in the House of Representatives. But other than that, we are all set,” she said.
Abante also said Vice President Sara Duterte is still welcome to attend the SONA despite having informed the chamber that she has no plan to join the event.
She said the House is “ready to welcome all officials of the government to attend the SONA.”
The Vice President, who is in the Netherlands visiting her detained father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, has said she is set to fly to South Korea on July 27 to meet with the Filipino community there. She will fly back home the following day.
Abante reminded the Vice President that it is part of her duty “to listen to the Chief Executive’s annual report to the people.” – With Wendell Vigilia
