12 minors arrested during SONA rally turned over to DSWD; 9 others face probe

Twelve minors arrested during protests held in connection with the 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA) have been turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) said Tuesday.

In a Balitanghali report by Jun Veneracion, 39 other arrested individuals remained in police custody. Of the 39, nine were expected to face charges, while three others remained under investigation.

According to a report by Mark Makalalad on Super Radyo dzBB, the nine individuals facing charges were already undergoing inquest proceedings.

𝗠𝗚𝗔 𝗡𝗔𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗢 𝗦𝗔 𝗥𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗬 𝗡𝗢𝗢𝗡𝗚 𝗦𝗢𝗡𝗔, 𝗡𝗔-𝗜𝗡𝗤𝗨𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗡𝗔

9 na naaresto sa rally sa State of the Nation Address (SONA), sumalang na sa inquest proceedings, ayon sa Philippine National Police (PNP); Iba pang naaresto, sumasailalim pa sa imbestigasyon… pic.twitter.com/yV3Yyyye4n

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— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) July 28, 2026

The QCPD said it would leave the evaluation of evidence against them to the prosecutor’s office. Police did not provide further details on the status of the other individuals still in custody.

Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Police Colonel Allan Rae Co said those facing charges could be charged with obstruction of justice, malicious mischief, vandalism, and disobedience to a person in authority.

Three other arrested individuals remained under investigation.

The QCPD described the disturbance during Monday’s rally as an isolated incident.

Meanwhile, authorities are investigating the explosion at the Department of Justice (DOJ) compound in Manila and the suspected improvised explosive device (IED) recovered outside the Senate-Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) complex in Pasay City on Monday.

Police officials said they have found no indication of an active threat against either the DOJ or the Senate, with intimidation being eyed as the possible motive behind the incidents.

PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. earlier said the explosive devices did not contain shrapnel.— Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/MCG, GMA News