8k cops to secure QC on SONA Day; NCRPO, Bayan say 'Walang may gusto ng gulo'

Eight thousand police officers are set to be deployed on Monday as throngs of protesters are expected to stage demonstrations when President Rodrigo Duterte delivers his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City.

Eleazar: Here on Quezon City, we will be deploying around 8,000 police personnel. https://t.co/Jl7zdrja0g

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) July 20, 2019

In an interview on Dobol B sa News TV on Saturday, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Major General Guillermo Eleazar and Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes sat together and agreed that neither of them want any untoward incident to happen on SONA Day.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said that for this year, protesters will be allowed to come as close as 50 meters away from the Batasang Pambansa Complex South Gate.

However, Reyes said the groups have opted to mount their protests at a center stage farther away, particularly in front of St. Peter Parish: Shrine of Leaders along Commonwealth Avenue, as it was more spacious than the IBP Road where the BP Complex is located.

"For this activity, mas gusto natin na matipon 'yung marami. We can have a safe space (na) malapad, at makapagdaos tayo ng mga programa," Reyes said.

"So the focus would be on the program. Hindi 'yung gitgitan," he added.

Reyes: Wala pong magpupumilit pumasok sa Batasan. https://t.co/Jl7zdrja0g

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) July 20, 2019

Eleazar on the other hand said that even if around 8,000 cops are to be deployed in Quezon City, they recognize the peaceful atmosphere and the protesters'  overall compliance with authorities in the past three SONAs of Duterte.

"Ang tinitignan natin is 'yung three years na maayos. Hindi makakabuti para kanino on both sides kung hindi susunod sa mga simpleng usapan na hangarin lang naman ay seguridad ng bawat lahat," he said.

However, in spite of the "tried and tested" scheme as both have described, the NCRPO chief gave the assurance that a contingency plan is at the ready should a situation arise.

Eleazar earlier said around 15,000 rallyists are expected on Monday for Duterte's SONA. —Margaret Claire Layug/KG, GMA News