Cops tell SONA protesters: No jackets, backpacks
MANILA, Philippines — Police urged protesters who will join mass actions during President Duterte’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 22 not to bring jackets and backpacks.
These items could raise the suspicions of police officers tasked to secure Duterte’s fourth public address to the nation, Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director said yesterday.
“We are discouraging them from bringing bags and jackets,” he told reporters during a chance interview at Camp Crame.
Eleazar made the appeal after authorities confirmed that one of the suicide bombers who attacked a military outpost in Indanan, Sulu was a Filipino.
Davao City recently implemented a no-jacket policy in the city’s checkpoints in the wake of the bombings as jackets could be used to conceal suicide vests.
As around 15,000 members of various cause-oriented groups are expected to join rallies on Monday, Eleazar admitted that lawmen will not be able to inspect everyone.
They are hoping that demonstrators will heed their request to ensure that everyone is safe.
The PNP will deploy around 14,000 police officers to secure the grounds and roads leading to the Batasang Pambansa complex, where Duterte will address the nation.
However, Eleazar clarified that they have not monitored any specific threat that could disrupt the SONA. – Non Alquitran
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