The Philippine National Police (PNP) has started planning for the security of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s second State of the National Address (Sona), which will occur in July. PNP Chief Gen, Benjamin Acorda Jr., said that the police would gather data from intelligence reports and other law enforcement agencies to identify possible threats to the event.
“Preparations on the ground are in full swing for us to ensure that the staging of this event will be peaceful and orderly. All information relevant to security matters is being seriously evaluated,” said Acorda Jr. PNP’s security plan will cover contingency moves within the Batasan Pambansa Complex in Quezon City, where Marcos is set to deliver his address.
Acorda added that the PNP has yet to finalize the number of police personnel dispatched and responsible for maintaining peace and order at the venue and other areas of Metro Manila where demonstrations may be held. “Expect the PNP to maximize the utilization of all its available resources to ensure the peaceful and orderly staging of this event,” he said in a statement.
The police force will exercise “maximum tolerance” when dealing with protests during the Sona, Acorda Jr. said. “We will also reach out to representatives of all groups who are planning to stage protest rallies during the event. I am hopeful that we can arrive at a consensus, where they can exercise their freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, but without prejudice to the security measures we intend to adopt,” he added.
Marcos has been a divisive figure in the Philippines whose father, also called Ferdinand Marcos, ruled the country for 21 years until his ouster in 1986 through a peaceful revolution. The senior Marcos is known for human rights violations and embezzling billions of dollars of the country’s wealth. His son’s first Sona focused on the economy with little mention of his family’s history.
In recent years, the Philippine government has implemented tighter security measures during high-profile political events after several violent rallies broke out in 2017, resulting in several deaths and injuries to protesters and police officers.
The government has consistently maintained a “no permit, no rally” policy since the 1980s, which means protesters must acquire a permit from their local police station before holding a rally or demonstration. However, this policy has been criticized by opposition groups for undermining the right to peaceful assembly.
Most demonstrations happen without a permit, which can lead to a violent clash between the protesters and the police. Some politicians and advocacy groups have called for the repeal of the “no permit, no rally” policy, citing the need to protect Filipinos’ right to peaceful assembly, which is guaranteed under the Philippine Constitution.
Due to the pandemic, there has been an increase in online protests, which have allowed groups to push their agendas online. However, digital rallies often have a limited reach compared to physical protests and may not capture the government’s attention in the same way as a physical demonstration.
In conclusion, the Philippines’ police force is gearing up to provide security during Marcos’s second Sona in July. However, as in previous years, protests are expected to occur, and the police have reiterated their “maximum tolerance” policy when dealing with demonstrators. The debate over the “no permit, no rally” policy continues, with some groups calling for its repeal to ensure Filipinos’ right to peaceful assembly, which is guaranteed under the Philippine Constitution.
