MANILA, Philippines — The second State of the Nation Address (Sona) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was generally peaceful and orderly” with no untoward incidents, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said in a statement on Monday.
All public engagements and activities nationwide, especially in the vicinity of the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City and 31 border control points within Metro Manila where protests were staged, were orderly and peaceful.
“An appropriate number of police personnel were on duty to provide security and police assistance in all areas of engagement and strictly observed the maximum tolerance policy despite some uncalled-for actions by rallyists like burning of effigies and illegal assemblies that obstructed traffic,” PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said.
“No arrests were made in all these engagements but violators of the law will be prosecuted to the fullest extent.”
The police force also thanked other law enforcement agencies for their support in keeping public safety during the event.
“I extend my greetings and thanks to all our police throughout the country, including various government agencies such as the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Joint Task force-National Capital Region, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, OCD or Red Cross, Department of Health, Philippine Coast Guard, Presidential Security Group, Metro Manila Development Authority, Department of Public Works And Highways, different Local Governments, Force Multipliers as well as other private sectors,” Acorda said in Filipino.
Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer | July 24, 2023
