Members of the Philippine National Police form a barricade along Commonwealth in anticipation of anti-Marcos protests hours before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to deliver his third State of the Nation Address on July 22, 2024 Val Cuenca, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said they will not hesitate to arrest and file complaints against those who would hurt police officers deployed to secure President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.'s State of the Nation Address (SONA).

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Although tensions are usually high at protests, especially at high-profile events like the SONA, they do not typically end in physical altercations.

According to Police Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, PNP chief, the PNP will exercise maximum tolerance but would not let physical harm slide.

"Pagka 'yung mga rallyista nasasaktan nagko-complain, ngayon ba't kami pagka kami nasasaktan hindi kami puwede? No, we file a case," he said.

(When rallyists get hurt, they file complaints. Now, if police officers get hurt, why shouldn't we do the same? No, we file a case)

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"I already ordered RD NCRPO (regional director of the National Capital Region Police Office) pagka may nasaktan na pulis, huli kami and we file cases, especially civil cases. Pagka may nadisgrasya, napilayan, we file cases not only criminal but civil," Marbil warned.

(If a police officer gets hurt, we will make arrests and file cases, especially civil cases. If a cop is hurt or gets a fracture, we will file criminal and civil cases)

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'NO BURNING OF EFFIGIES'

The official also reiterated that protesters who burn effigies will face charges.

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"Hindi ka puwede magsunog kung ano man mangyari. Kaya nga tayo may pollution law. That’s a law. Walang exemption yan," Marbil said.

(You cannot set fire to things. That is why we have a pollution law. That's a law and there is no exemption)

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 "I ordered NCRPO na huwag na magsusunog. Kung nagsunog at hindi tayo makalapit, just file cases against these people," he added.

(I ordered NCRPO to not let people burn effigies. If someone does that and we cannot get close, then we will just file cases)

Marbil also mentioned that he is satisfied with the security deployment, adding that they have a contingency plan ready for any situation. 

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