NCRPO expects minimal protests on SONA Day

Expect minimal protest rallies during President Rodrigo Duterte's first State of the National Address on Monday, the chief of the National Capital Region Police Office said Tuesday.

"We do not expect violent rallies ngayon. Yung [rallyists] ngayon are actually supporters ng ating presidente," NCRPO Regional director Chief Supt. Oscar Albayalde said.

Albayalde said contingency measures are also in place in case Duterte allows militant groups to enter the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City where the President will address a joint session of Congress. 

"Baka nga payagan ng ating Presidente makalapit sa Batasan gates ... Closed pa rin Batasan until i-approve ni Presidente," he said.

The usual container vans blocking the protesters along Commonwealth Avenue would still be prepared on the side streets, according to Albayalde.

He added that the Quezon City Police District would still set up a mobile command center along Commonwealth Avenue being the lead district for the SONA.

Full alert before weekend

Meanwhile, Albayalde said the NCRPO will be on full alert status before the weekend in preparation for the SONA. 

He said more than 16,000 police and reserved personnel will be deployed on Monday within the vicinity of the Batasang Pambansa. — RSJ, GMA News