By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Monday said 51 individuals were arrested for various violations as they participated in protest actions before the fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
Most of those arrested were caught in the act of vandalism, Nartatez told reporters.
They violated Republic Act No. 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, Batas Pambansa 880 or the Public Assembly Act of 1985, and local ordinances related to the wearing of balaclava, a type of cloth headgear that covers the head, neck and most of the face.
“You remember what happened in September last year? We will not allow them to create trouble on the roads that affect the peaceful conduct of protest actions,” Nartatez said, referring to the incident in Manila on Sept. 21, 2025 when a group of teenagers wearing masks and bonnets attacked cops and set police barricades on fire.
Scores of policemen were injured during the surprise attack at the height of an anti-corruption rally along Ayala Bridge.
Meanwhile, more than 21,000 policemen were deployed in various parts of Quezon City and Metro Manila as part of the security measures for the SONA.
“A sufficient number of our personnel and resources are already on the ground along with our partners from other government agencies. We all have the same goal of ensuring a peaceful and orderly SONA, and we all have the same commitment to deliver,” Nartatez said.
The PNP chief said cops were directed to closely monitor suspicious individuals and activities that may disrupt the event. Intelligence monitoring and police visibility operations have likewise been intensified in areas considered critical to public safety.
Officers were instructed to exercise maximum tolerance and strictly observe established operational procedures while ensuring that rallies remain peaceful and orderly. (PNA)
