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Duterte orders cops to exercise ‘maximum tolerance’ on SONA rallies


President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday instructed the Philippine National Police to exercise "maximum tolerance" towards protesters during his third State of the Nation Address.

"As much as possible I don't want to see any rifle except your baton and your shield. I'm not asking you to die. Just retreat, retreat and retreat," Duterte said in a speech in Davao City.

The president also invited his critics to join the rallies and exercise their constitutional right to free expression.

"I will declare the next two days as bakasyon time so that all the people can go there during the SONA and mag demonstrate kayo dun," he added.

Duterte will deliver his third report to the nation before a joint session of Congress on July 23, amid criticisms over his human rights record, policy on the South China Sea, rising commodity prices, and stalled peace negotiations with the communist rebels. — DVM, GMA News

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