The second State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was generally peaceful, Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director, said on Tuesday, July 25.
According to the city police, around 6,000 protesters assembled along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City to air their grievances during the President's second SONA held at the House of Representatives, Batasang Pambansa Complex on Monday, July 24.
Around 6,000 supporters of the President also gathered near the Commission on Audit to hear his speech.
Police said no untoward incidents happened during the programs.
"Despite the number of protest actions, no arrests and confrontations took place between the rallyists and the police. That's why we thank the leaders of the various cause-oriented groups for their cooperation and understanding of our security procedures," Torre III said.
More than 7,000 local government and QCPD uniformed police personnel were deployed in various areas and roads to ensure the safety and security of the residents and protesters during the event.
(Photo by Aaron Dioquino/ MANILA BULLETIN)
The QCPD director also denied the alleged disrespect to the protesters of some police personnel who were caught singing live with a videoke in a police truck near the area during the event. A video of the incident was posted by netizens on social media.
Torre III explained that the police officers who were seen doing the live performance were members of the QCPD band to boost the morale of the deployed local police personnel who were manning their stations.
He also posted on his Facebook page a photo that shows the distance between the location where the truck was parked which is away from the area where the protester’s program was being held.
(Photo from Nicolas Torre III Facebook page/ MANILA BULLETIN)
"I also want to express my sincere gratitude to our police, other government agencies, our stakeholders and force multipliers who remained where they are, rain or shine, to ensure the order and success of SONA 2023," the police chief said.
Meanwhile, acting National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Brig. Gen. Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. said the peaceful and orderly SONA was due to the the collaboration and unity of various concerned offices and units from the police force and the government.
“This outcome is mutually beneficial to all participants who were able to attain the common goal of the day which is to understand the plans and courses of action which our President ought to take as we all move forward towards recovery and progress,” he said.