Rody confronts rallyists after SONA

MANILA, Philippines - President Duterte yesterday surprised rallyists when he confronted them directly after his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City.?

Duterte gave a 10-minute speech before protesters and vowed to deliver on his promises. He, however, asked them for more time. 

Duterte’s speech drew both cheers and jeers from the militant crowd as he warned he would not tolerate any disrespect from any group. 

“Bigyan niyo ako ng pagkakataon, basta sasabihin ko sa inyo (Give me a chance, but I tell you ) I will deliver. Naiintindihan niyo ako? (Do you understand me?) I will deliver,” he told the rallyists.?Police began preparing for Duterte’s arrival at the militant stage as early as 4 p.m.?An estimated 10,500 protesters listened to the President’s impromptu speech, about 50 meters away from the Batasan complex.

“It’s a security nightmare for us when our President appeared on the stage of the militant groups and presided over a dialogue with them,” said National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Oscar Albayalde, admitting that he deployed intelligence operatives in civilian clothes to monitor the crowd.

Albayalde and Chief Supt. Guillermo Eleazar, director of the Quezon City Police District and concurrent overall commander of Task Force SONA, joined Duterte and his staff as well as security men on stage.

Duterte left when a group became rowdy and started hurling invectives at him.

The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) lauded the President for his “unprecedented” appearance at the rally. 

Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes said“this is possibly the first time that a president talked to protesters directly after delivering his SONA.” 

Police allowed militants to gather around 300 meters away from the south gate of the House of Representatives compound, the second time in history. – With Rhodina Villanueva, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Mayen Jaymalin, Ghio Ong, Non Alquitran