PNP chief assures tolerance but limits for SONA protests

Philippine National Police chief Rommel Francisco Marbil assured maximum tolerance for protesters during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, but with limitations.

Marbil emphasized that police personnel will not allow themselves to be hurt while securing the event and directed the National Capital Region Police Office to file civil and criminal cases if officers get injured in the line of duty.

Bayan and other groups plan to conduct protest actions around Commonwealth Avenue and Tandang Sora Avenue, but police will ensure protesters remain in designated areas and not impede vehicular traffic.

At 8 a.m. Monday, Bayan Southern Tagalog burned an effigy of Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte along Commonwealth Avenue, prompting Marbil's warning against such activities.

The PNP chief said around 23,000 police personnel would be deployed to secure the SONA, up from the previously reported 22,000, with full alert status in effect since Sunday.

Police have not monitored any threats as of posting time and have been gathering intelligence information for two months.