Ahead of the upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA), the Philippine National Police (PNP) has guaranteed the exercise of maximum tolerance toward demonstrators while urging rally organizers to cooperate to prevent clashes and maintain an orderly environment.
PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. emphasized that a principle of mutual respect should govern public demonstrations, striking a balance between freedom of expression and the duty of law enforcement to preserve public safety.
“Every individual and every group has the right to express opinion and air grievances and we assure each and every one of them that the PNP will respect and even protect that right,” Nartatez stated.
“All that we ask is for them to respect police officers on the ground and their mandate to maintain peace and order,” he added.
As President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. prepares to deliver his fifth SONA at the Batasang Pambansa on July 27, multiple organizations have announced plans to stage demonstrations.
In response, law enforcement is mobilizing over 21,000 personnel, with an additional 3,000 officers held in reserve. Metro Manila police forces will enter full alert status starting at 5:00 p.m. on July 24.
Nartatez called on organizers to secure required permits and engage with local officials beforehand, highlighting that prior notification serves as a practical safety and operational measure rather than just a legal requirement.
He noted that proper coordination allows police commanders to manage crowd movement effectively and assign security assets to rally locations.
“Maximum tolerance will be strictly by our personnel amid these activities. I also instructed our chiefs of police to ensure the strategic deployment of personnel and resources to secure these activities,” Nartatez said.