Security tight for SONA 2020, mobile detention cells ready

Law enforcers were deployed before dawn on Monday around Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City, hours before President Rodrigo Duterte is scheduled to deliver his fifth State of the Nation Address.

Strict security is being implemented as the Philippine National Police is on heightened alert.

Mga pulis na idedeploy sa paligid ng Batasang Pambansa para sa SONA ni Pangulong Duterte ngayong araw, naghahanda na. @gmanews @dzbb pic.twitter.com/UdCrtMNjYI

— James Agustin (@_jamesJA) July 26, 2020

Checkpoints have been set up at the boundary of San Mateo, Rizal and Quezon City on Batasan-San Mateo Road, and at the boundary of Rodriguez, Rizal and Quezon City near Payatas.

"Sa area pa lang po ng San Mateo, Rizal ay bawal silang dumaan doon,” Batasan Police Station Commander Police Lieutenant Colonel Romulus Gadaoni said in a report by James Agustin on GMA News' Unang Balita.

“The same din sa may Rodriguez, Rizal, sa may Payatas, may mga tropa din po tayong nakaharang doon  para ma-ensure lang na wala talagang makapasok na rallyista,” he added.

Authorities earlier said mass gatherings are not allowed due to the threat of COVID-19. However, the protest action inside University of the Philippines Diliman campus on Monday will be allowed in view of academic freedom.

According to National Capital Region Police Office chief Police Major General Debold Sinas, protesters who will insist on staging rallies elsewhere will receive maximum tolerance from police personnel.

“We still observe maximum tolerance. Kausapin sila. Pakiusapan na umalis. Kung hindi umalis ay huhulihin natin,” Sinas said.

“Ang pakiusap natin, sana sumunod tayo kasi unang-una mahirap po. Baka mamaya magkahawaan tayo,” he added.

Violating protesters will be detained at mobile detention cells of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology. 

Meanwhile, on IBP Road corner Commonwealth Avenue, personnel from the Civil Disturbance Management Unit took up their positions bearing shields.

The IBP Road, which in past years would be closed to accommodate rallies during SONA, will remain open to motorists on Monday. 

Aside from police, personnel from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the Quezon City local government were also seen around Batasang Pambansa for added security. —Joviland Rita/KG, GMA News