ILOILO CITY (PIA6) --The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) has intensified its security measures for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s second State of the Nation Address (SONA), noting that different progressive groups in Panay will also be conducting their own protest.
ICPO Spokesperson Police Major Shella Mae Sangrines said that they conducted a pre-deployment briefing to all police personnel as early as 5 AM to ensure the safety of the public and avoid untoward incidents to happen during the protests.
Sangrines added that they are on a “full alert status”, together with other force multipliers and the Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO) in anticipation of the movements of progressive groups who have secured permits for their protest rallies.
The ICPO also established a stand-by Civil Disturbance Management (CDM) in events that some city ordinances will be violated by the groups, and will practice “maximum tolerance” should there be a need to disperse protesters.
“Ensure lang nila nga ang kinamatarung sang iban, hindi ma-violate while they protest. We will ensure nga mabalanse
ina, we will respect their freedom of expression,” Sangrines said, urging protesters to conduct the rally in a peaceful manner.
Records from the ICPO also indicated that there are three groups who stage protests in time for President Marcos Jr.’s second SONA, and these include the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) – Panay, the No to PUV Phaseout Coalition – Panay, and the Sambayanan Metro-Iloilo.
The No to PUV Phaseout Coalition secured permit to conduct protest along the University of the Philippines (UP) – Visayas Iloilo City Campus and at the Iloilo City Tagbak Terminal, while the BAYAN Panay was granted permit to stage a rally in front of the Iloilo Provincial Capitol.
The Sambayanan Metro-Iloilo, on the other hand, was given permission to conduct a People’s Caravan and Walk for Peace along the streets of Jaro district going to the Iloilo Sunburst Park where they will have a multi-sectoral program.
Meanwhile, Sangrines appealed to the Ilonggos to support the government and what the ICPO is doing to ensure the public’s safety, particularly during the second SONA of President Marcos Jr.
“Let us support our government, let us be ready for the delivery of the second SONA of the President. Ang ICPO naga-apelar gid nga please join us, support us as we implement our security measures para nga matigayon nga maging malinong kag matawhay ang aton syudad,” she said. (AAL/JNH/PIA6 Iloilo)
