The new anti-terror law will not stop a broad coalition of groups and individuals from staging protest demonstrations when President Duterte delivers his 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 27.

This is according to Bagong Alyansang Makabayan or BAYAN secretary general Renato Reyes Jr. who went on to say he is actually expecting a big crowd for the mass action dubbed “SONAgkaisa” next week.

“We will push through with the protest actions. Let us see what their response would be. The government keeps saying the terror law will not be weaponized and used against administration critics,” he told ANC on Wednesday.

“There’s always that risk but I don’t think that’s going to dissuade anyone at this point from coming out and expressing themselves,” Reyes added.

The activist group leader cited the possibility a “huge political fallout” may “backfire” against the Duterte administration if it uses the terror law against the protesters.

Various sectoral and progressive groups, youth organizations, and personalities will hold simultaneous protests nationwide to denounce the passage of the anti-terror law, the shutdown of ABS-CBN, and the government's failed response to the health and economic crisis, among others.

These include groups such as Akbayan, Movement vs Anti-Terrorism (MATA), Karapatan, Migrante, Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), Green Thumb Coalition, and Bahaghari.

While SONA protests will be staged nationwide, the main rally will be held in front of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) office in Quezon City.

Unlike previous SONAs, there will be no burning of effigy this year due to the coronavirus threat to protesters.

“We are conscious of the prevailing health situation. We understand the predicament being faced by the Quezon City government that’s why we applied for a permit as early as Monday,” Reyes said.

Health protocols such as wearing of face masks and physical distancing will be strictly observed during the rally, he added.