The Philippine National Police (PNP) warned those who will stage protests during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Monday, July 27 will be arrested.
According to PNP Spokesperson Brigadier General Bernard Banac, the PNP will strictly enforce the “No Permit, No Rally” policy.
Maximum tolerance will still be implemented as the police tries to convince groups to halt their rallies. However, cops will not hesitate to use force and arrest demonstrators if they insist on doing so.
“If we do not see any indication of compliance or response, the PNP will be forced to arrest them and have them answer to local ordinances.”
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) initially ordered the local government units (LGUs) not to issue rally permits in accordance with the health protocols due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Meanwhile, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan Secretary General Renato Reyes stated that several groups may continue to conduct their rallies inside the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman Campus where a permit is not needed. -PTV News
