PNP: All systems go for SONA security

MANILA, Philippines — All systems are set as the Philippine National Police (PNP) entered the implementation phase of the security deployment for President Marcos’ third State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Batasang Pambansa complex today.

“Our prayer is for a peaceful and orderly SONA, and we have considered all possible scenarios in our security planning. The PNP is prepared for any situation that may arise,” PNP chief publicist Col. Jean Fajardo said yesterday.

Fajardo said they have not monitored any serious threats that would disrupt the SONA, adding that they maintain an active stance, conducting intelligence monitoring and gathering with other security forces to address any security threats and challenges swiftly.

She also mentioned that agreements with progressive groups had been reached in advance.

“We reached out to these groups well before SONA. Two anti-government groups were granted permits to rally near Diliman Doctors Hospital, while pro-government groups will be near the Commission on Audit,” she said.

Preparations around the Batasan yesterday were reportedly a quiet and peaceful situation, according to Fajardo.

She also reported that around 10:40 a.m., they monitored a rally at the Quezon Memorial Circle but the participants dispersed peacefully.

“The rally involved around 30 anti-government protestors led by a group associated with RJ Abellana,” Fajardo said.

Regarding the preparations for the SONA, Fajardo confirmed that the PNP had already deployed its personnel.

“Our deployment for SONA began immediately after the send-off ceremony on July 19,” she said.

A full alert status will also be implemented which started at around 6 a.m. on Saturday and will continue until Monday midnight.

She added that Task Force Metro Manila Shield is activated and has established border controls. 

Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines is prepared to ensure the security of Marcos during the SONA, AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said yesterday.

“In terms of security, we are ready to provide additional troops together with the PNP,” Padilla said.

“We’re ready to perform our mandate in securing the President and our dignitaries for this upcoming SONA,” she added.

Vice President Sara Duterte announced that she would not attend the SONA, the first time that she will be absent from the event since 2022.

She said her self-appointment as the “designated survivor” during the SONA was neither a joke nor a bomb threat. 

In the United States, a “designated survivor” must be secured in case the president and all of the constitutional successors are killed or incapacitated in a terrorist attack or calamity.

Labor demands

In time for the President’s SONA today, workers from different trade groups are taking to the streets to press for wage hikes among other labor demands.

Partido Manggagawa chair Renato Magtubo said the issue of wages and the battle against poverty will be at the forefront of their workers’ demands.

Members of the Nagkaisa Labor Coalition and the National Wage Coalition will be joining the protest action along Commonwealth Avenue.

“We call on President Marcos and Speaker (Martin) Romualdez to certify and finally enact the proposed P150 minimum wage increase bills, which has been pending in the House of Representatives for several months,” Magtubo said.

He noted that the Senate has long passed a P100 legislated wage hike.

While the regional wage board granted a P35 wage hike for minimum wage earners in Metro Manila, labor groups said it is insignificant and restores only 30 percent of the eroded value of wages that workers need to recover. 

According to Magtubo, a substantial wage increase is an immediate solution to combat inflation and poverty that affect 58 percent of Filipinos.

“It would be an empty statistic for workers to hear once again in the SONA that ‘the state of the nation is sound,’ or that ‘the Philippine economy world’s best performing’ and that most Filipinos will soon become ‘middle class,’ if wages continue to fall below the poverty line, as they have for the past 35 years,” Magtubo pointed out.

Strengthening the purchasing power of Filipino workers to fight poverty, he said, should take precedence over boosting the country’s firepower in preparation for unnecessary and futile military conflicts in the region.

Federation of Free Workers (FFW) president Sonny Matula said without concrete actions to address wage recovery for Filipino workers, the middle-income aspiration is a “farce.”

“The so-called ‘blueprint’ for economic and social transformation will be meaningless if it fails to uplift the standard of living for our workers,” Matula explained. 

He said FFW also intends to question the legality of the re-allocation of PhilHealth funds in favor of the government before the Supreme Court should President Marcos ignore the urgent call to return the funds.

Maximum tolerance

Meanwhile, the Commission on Human Rights reminded the police to exercise maximum tolerance during today’s protests. 

The CHR acknowledged an earlier statement from the PNP, which committed to upholding the people’s right to peaceably assemble and petition the government.

“The SONA serves as a significant event for the government to state its accomplishments and plans, demonstrating its commitment to transparency, accountability, and the welfare of the nation,” the CHR said.

“SONA has also become a vital platform for various groups and individuals to express their views, stances and grievances on critical national issues, which is integral to a vibrant and thriving democracy. By ensuring that these rights are upheld, the government expresses its dedication to democratic principles and protection of human rights,” it added.

The CHR underscored the role of law enforcers in enabling citizens to exercise their rights in a safe and secure environment.

“We are hopeful that the PNP’s statement of assurance will translate to efforts by State forces to protect and facilitate the right to peaceful protest and the practice of maximum tolerance at all times, all in the same manner that they will endeavor to ensure peace and order before, during, and after the program,” it said. — Pia Lee-Brago, Mayen Jaymalin, Janvic Mateo