Cops inspect SONA route, map out anti-riot plans

[updated 12:50 pm] Police in Metro Manila on Thursday started preparing security measures for President Benigno Aquino III's State of the Nation Address on July 22.

 

In Quezon City, city police chief Senior Superintendent Richard Albano led the inspection of the portion of Commonwealth Avenue leading to the Batasan Complex, radio dzBB's Allan Gatus reported.

 

Albano also instructed the posting of police teams to make sure protesters will not be able to sneak to the Batasan Complex.

 

Metro Manila police also started mapping out plans to deal with groups expected to hold protests on July 22.

 

A report by dzBB's Paulo Santos quoted Metro Manila police spokesperson Chief Inspector Kimberly Molitas-Gonzales as saying they are using video footage of past confrontations in their planning.

 

Molitas-Gonzales said the police want to learn from past experiences and address the cause of the tension that usually leads to violent confrontations.

 

She also said they will use testimonial statements of crowd control police personnel who dealt with the protesters in past years.

 

On July 22, Aquino is to deliver his fourth SONA before a joint session of the 16th Congress at the Batasan Complex in Quezon City.

 

But many groups have bared plans to take to the streets and question Aquino's achievements in the past year. — VC, GMA News