Pro-BBM supporters hoping Marcos would show up at their rally on SONA Day

Supporters of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. are hoping he would show up at their rally venue on Monday, the day he would give his first State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Malayang Quezon City president Edwin Rodriguez, organizer of the pro-Marcos rally on IBP Road, pointed out that not all of the president's supporters have the chance to get inside the Batasang Pambansa to watch him deliver his SONA in person.

“Sana naman kung makita ni BBM na maraming Pilipino na sumusuporta sa kanya ay dumaan siya (If BBM sees that many Filipinos are here supporting him, we hope he would drop by),” he said in an interview with GMA News Online.

According to Rodriguez, some Cabinet members including his brother Executive Secretary (ES) Victor Rodriguez might show up at the venue.

“I understand yata 'yung mga ibang gabinete, si ES, will pass by. Sana naman kasi nandidito 'yung mga mamamayan na naniniwala at sumusuporta sa kanila,” he said.

(I understand some of the Cabinet members, like ES, will pass by. I hope so because the people who believe and support them are here.)

Rodriguez clarified that the pro-Marcos rally they organized is not only for their party but is for everyone. He also invited people from other local government units to attend the pro-Marcos rally.

According to him, around 10,000 people are expected to attend the event scheduled for 1 p.m.

He added that there is no planned program for the event but they will broadcast the SONA speech of Marcos at the venue.

A concert will be held afterward.

Rodriguez said the staff and participants of the event will wear face masks to avoid the spread of COVID-19.

In case of rain, some raincoats have been prepared for the rally participants, he added.

Security

Meanwhile, security measures at the pro-BBM rally will be intensified following the Ateneo shooting on Sunday, Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said personnel from the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) and other marshals are securing the venue on IBP Road.

“Kahapon yata, merong hindi magandang nangyari. So that will strengthen na naman 'yung security, 'yung pag-ano naman natin dito (Yesterday, something bad happened. So that will strengthen our security here),” he said.

According to him, backpacks and umbrellas would not be allowed inside the venue to avoid the possible sneaking in of harmful weapons.

On Sunday, former mayor of Lamitan, Basilan mayor Rose Furigay, her aide Victor Capistrano, and university security guard Jeneven Bandiala were killed at a shooting incident in front of the Areté building inside the Ateneo de Manila University campus in Quezon City.

Ateneo Law School's graduation was scheduled to take place in the area when the shooting happened. Furigay's daughter Hannah, a graduating law student, was wounded and brought to the hospital.

QCPD director Police Brigadier General Remus Medina on Sunday said the shooting incident was an isolated case, and the suspect had a personal quarrel with Furigay.

Meanwhile, Rodriguez said that their group respects other protesters who are conducting rallies against Marcos on the same day.

Militant groups from Southern Tagalog gathered early Monday morning to prepare for their anti-Marcos rally on Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City, the major highway leading to Batasang Pambansa. —KG, GMA News