PNP appeals to SONA protesters to do it online

July 20, 2020

The chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday appealed to those who will hold protests during President Rodrigo Duterte’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) to do it online.

In his press briefing, Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa reminded the public that mass gatherings are prohibited, especially in areas under enhanced or general community quarantine.

“We are on freedom of expression, freedom to voice out what they feel… the PNP would always respect that. So the PNP will always balance that freedom of expression which a lot of people want to exercise and of course keeping the necessary measures, especially quarantine protocols on mass gatherings,” Gamboa said.

“But those who are planning to protest on SONA, we appeal for them to just do it online because these are not ordinary times,” he added.

The PNP chief said during the previous years, mass protests were allowed during SONA.

“But now we have a specific situation which is this (coronavirus) pandemic. So we hope everybody will cooperate because it's not only for our own good but also for you and for others, especially that there are prohibitions on mass gatherings,” he said.

Gamboa said they encourage their police commanders to talk to the groups who are planning to conduct protests.

According to Police Major General Emmanuel Luis Licup of the PNP Directorate for Operations, they conducted a walk-through for their SONA preparations.

“We will hold a dialogue (to groups) appealing to them to not conduct protest action (in the streets) and just do it online,” Licup said.

Licup said they will be having conferences on Wednesday and Thursday.

Malacañang said Duterte is expected to be present at the House of Representatives in Quezon City to deliver his fifth State of the Nation Address on July 27. Ella Dionisio/DMS