Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Karen De Guzman

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178477096881120250728-marcos-sona-protest-MT27.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Members of various progressive groups march along Commonwealth Avenue toward the St. Peter Parish: Shrine of Leaders in Quezon City as President Ferdinand &#x27;Bongbong&#x27; Marcos Jr. delivers his fourth State of the Nation Address on July 28, 2025.<em> Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) called on organizers of rallies during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.&#x27;s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) to help ensure the safety of their own participants by coordinating with authorities ahead of the demonstrations.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/20/marcos-5th-sona-to-be-simple-but-dignified-palace-1557">Marcos 5th SONA to be &#x27;simple but dignified&#x27;—Palace</a></div><p>PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said protest organizers should secure the necessary permits and work closely with local government units and police, saying coordination is essential not only for compliance with regulations but also for public safety and security.</p><p>“Every individual and every group has the right to express opinion and air grievances and we assure each and every one of them that the PNP will respect and even protect that right,” Nartatez said.</p><p>“All that we ask is for them to respect police officers on the ground and their mandate to maintain peace and order,” he added.</p><p>Around 20,000 police personnel will be deployed to secure the President&#x27;s fifth SONA on July 27, with the PNP also preparing for protest actions and other public activities expected on the same day.</p><p>Nartatez said police commanders have been directed to strategically deploy personnel and resources at rally venues while maintaining close coordination with protest organizers.</p><p>He also said officers have been instructed to exercise maximum tolerance in handling demonstrations.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>IGLESIA GATHERING</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>The PNP is also preparing security operations for the 112th anniversary celebration of the Iglesia ni Cristo, which coincides with the President&#x27;s annual address.</p><p>Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said authorities have completed security preparations and are ready to respond to any contingency.</p><p>&quot;Yes, we are ready. In fact, command conference namin tungkol dito ngayon. We have 20,000 police now deployed, and we are ready for any contingencies,&quot; Remulla said Wednesday.</p><p>Remulla said command conferences among concerned agencies are ongoing to finalize operational plans as authorities expect mass demonstrations in parts of Metro Manila.</p><p>The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) will be placed under full alert status beginning Friday, while heightened security will be enforced in traditional protest areas, including Batasang Pambansa, People Power Monument, Malacañang, Liwasang Bonifacio, the Senate, and the US Embassy.</p><p>Despite the heightened security, Nartatez assured the public that the PNP remains committed to protecting both public safety and the constitutional right of Filipinos to peacefully assemble and express their views during the President&#x27;s SONA.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xb493IloYFk?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/r_ngINR04Fs?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>Around 20,000 police personnel will be deployed to secure the President's fifth SONA on July 27.</p>

Around 20,000 police personnel will be deployed to secure the President's fifth SONA on July 27.

PNP urges SONA protest organizers to coordinate, protect demonstrators

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PNP urges SONA protest organizers to coordinate, protect demonstrators

Karen De Guzman,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 23, 2026 09:48 AM PHT

Read More:

PNP

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