Jonathan Frederic De Santos

Thousands of members of various progressive groups march along Commonwealth Avenue toward Capitol Estate 1 in Quezon City on Monday, July 27, 2026, ahead of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA). Protesters raised issues on governance, corruption, and other concerns affecting the Filipino people. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Karen De Guzman

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1785813633169178522323227220260727-marcos-5th-sona-protest-commonwealth-MT26.jpg.webp" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Thousands of members of various progressive groups march along Commonwealth Avenue toward Capitol Estate 1 in Quezon City on Monday, July 27, 2026, ahead of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA). Protesters raised issues on governance, corruption, and other concerns affecting the Filipino people. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News"/>Thousands of members of various progressive groups march along Commonwealth Avenue toward Capitol Estate 1 in Quezon City on Monday, July 27, 2026, ahead of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA). Protesters raised issues on governance, corruption, and other concerns affecting the Filipino people. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</div>MANILA — The Philippine National Police said it is open to any investigation by the Commission on Human Rights into the arrests made during the People’s State of the Nation Address protest on July 27, following allegations of police violence and illegal detention raised by human rights and activist groups.PNP chief PGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said investigations are &quot;deemed necessary for us to make some adjustments&quot; and to hold officers accountable if warranted.He, however, maintained that the arrests were lawful and argued that respondents can raise the alleged abuse before prosecutors or the courts.“Piskalya ang makakapagsabi or korte kapag ito ay inusig at nilitis,” he said.(The prosecutors or the courts can determine that during proceedings.)<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/27/over-50-arrested-during-sona-protests-for-vandalism-wearing-balaclavas-pnp-1559">READ: More than 50 arrested during SONA protests for vandalism, wearing balaclavas — PNP </a></div>Police initially arrested 51 individuals, including 12 later released because they are minors, for alleged violations of special laws and local ordinances during the protest that coincided with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.&#x27;s SONA.Nine have been <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/28/9-remain-behind-bars-after-sona-protest-arrests-nupl-seeks-release-1531">referred for inquest proceedings</a> for obstruction of justice, malicious mischief, vandalism, and disobedience to authority. The rest are under investigation for potential complaints.Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, Karapatan, National Union of People&#x27;s Lawyers and other groups have asked the CHR to conduct an independent investigation into what they described as the PNP’s escalating attacks on peaceful assemblies.In a letter to the CHR, they alleged police committed arbitrary arrests, harassment, intimidation, and other rights violations during the July 27 protest.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/22/pnp-chief-denies-photojournalists-were-harassed-during-manila-rally-2055">RELATED: PNP chief denies photojournalists were harassed during Manila rally</a></div>The groups also called on the government to end what they described as the criminalization of dissent and to repeal Batas Pambansa 880, a law passed in the 1980s requiring permits for protests not held in designated freedom parks.They said that law has been used to suppress peaceful protests.

PNP chief PGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said investigations are "deemed necessary for us to make some adjustments" and to hold officers accountable if warranted.

PNP chief PGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said investigations are "deemed necessary for us to make some adjustments" and to hold officers accountable if warranted.

Police say open to CHR probe into SONA protest arrests

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Police say open to CHR probe into SONA protest arrests

Karen De Guzman,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 04, 2026 11:27 AM PHT

Read More:

Philippine National Police

Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan

Karapatan

National Union of People's Lawyers

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