Police inspect Commonwealth Avenue, QC as part of SONA 2026 preparations

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Major General Anthony Aberin led the inspection of Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City on Saturday morning, two days before the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

Aside from NCRPO, operatives from the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), and personnel of the Quezon City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (QCDRRMO) and Quezon City local government unit were also seen in the area, according to a report by Carlo Mateo on Dobol B TV.

The police are checking on the deployment of their personnel to provide security amid protest actions to be held on Monday, SONA Day.

"Sa kasalukyan, ongoing ang walkthrough para dito sa... i-ensure na 'yung lahat ng pupuwestohan ng mga magco-conduct ng kanilang protest at siyempre 'yung dadaanan ng mga commuters, ng mga motorista ay magiging maayos. So ongoing ngayon 'yung pagche-check ng mga locations natin," NCRPO spokesperson Police Major Hazel Asilo said in an interview on Dobol B TV.

(Currently, the walkthrough is ongoing to ensure that all areas where protesters will hold their protest actions and of course the areas where commuters and motorists will pass will be orderly. So the checking of locations is ongoing.)

Asilo said police are checking the lanes where they will put barriers, and how many lanes will be closed to motorists.

A zipper lane will be opened which will be delineated with steel barriers instead of plastic barriers so these will not be moved by rallyists.

Asilo said the inner lane of Commonwealth Avenue will be for motorists, while the outer lane will be for rallyists.

As for the reported Iglesia Ni Cristo gathering to be held also on Monday, Asilo said they have not received validated information yet if the said event will be held outside the INC premises.

The NCRPO went on full alert starting Friday at 5 p.m. as part of the preparations for SONA 2026.

Over 20,000 police officers will be deployed to provide security for SONA 2026, the NCRPO earlier said.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla said on Wednesday that all security measures are ready for Marcos' SONA.

"We are ready for any contingencies," said Remulla in a statement.

At least four groups have applied for permits to launch rallies against SONA in Quezon City on Monday, the NCRPO earlier said.

Asilo said Saturday that three groups were granted rally permits: the Better Brighter Movement, BAYAN, and Sanlakas.

The rallyists will be allowed on Commonwealth Avenue up to Capitol Estates, she said.

The other group meanwhile will be allowed in front of the Commission on Audit, Asilo added.

The SONA is the annual report of the President of the Philippines to Congress, delivered every fourth Monday of July.

It serves both as a constitutional obligation and a political event, during which the President reports on the country's condition and outlines the administration's priorities and agenda for the coming year.

The SONA is mandated under Article VII Section 23 of the 1987 Constitution, which states: "The President shall address the Congress at the opening of its regular session." —KG, GMA News