ILOILO City – All police stations under the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) are on full alert to maintain peace and order today as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers his second State of the Nation Address (SONA).
“Wala problema kung mag-rally basta may permit sila kag they will hold it peacefully without doing violence,” said Police Major Mary Grace Borio, PRO-6 spokesperson.
In Iloilo City three groups secured permits to hold rallies today.
“We are strictly imposing the ‘no permit, no rally’ policy,” said Colonel Joeresty Coronica, director of the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO).
He warned protesters against making trouble.
“We are appealing to the rallyists to hold protests peacefully. Kon maka-violate sila sang law, we will arrest them,” said Coronica.
Police Brigadier General Sidney Villaflor, PRO-6 director, ordered maximum police preparedness and the intensification of anti-crime operations across the region.
Police personnel are also positioned in areas where anti-government protests will be staged for Civil Disturbance Management (CDM) operations not only in Iloilo City but also in Bacolod City, Roxas City (Capiz), and Kalibo, Aklan, said Borio.
All police units were also directed to work closely with their military counterparts, force multipliers, stakeholders, and local government units.
In Bacolod City, the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) will observe maximum tolerance on protesters.
BCPO director Colonel Noel Aliño said public safety is their priority and he is hoping that no trouble will arise during protests.
Aliño advised progressive groups to listen to the SONA first and not resort to violence.
He further said they will deploy mobile patrols to assist commuters who may be affected by the transport strike.
The Bacolod Alliance of Commuters, Operators and Drivers and the United Negros Drivers and Operator Center-Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide confirmed their participation to the nationwide transport strike coinciding with the SONA today. (With a report from Watchmen Daily Journal)
