BY JOSEPH PEDRAJAS
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Tuesday said protest actions will be allowed in the city in anticipation of a huge gathering among critics and supporters of the government on Monday during President Duterte’s 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Belmonte said that they will allow a “limited extent of demonstrators and protesters” on July 27 as “it has been the tradition for a very long time” in the city that rallies are held during a President’s SONA.
Duterte is set to deliver his address at the Batasang Pambansa with progressive groups and activists are set to hold various protest actions along Commonwealth Avenue.
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) Secretary-General Renato Reyes welcomed Mayor Belmonte’s memo to allow rallies in QC.
Though there’s no word yet on their plan, supporters of President Duterte are also expected to converge near Batasan to show their loyalty.
“While coordinating with the Philippine National Police, we have come to the agreement dito sa National Capital Region Police Office at saka sa Quezon City Police District na papahintulutan ang demonstrators provided that may strict adherence sa Batasang Pambansa 880,” Belmonte said during Laging Handa public briefing. (Joseph Pedrajas)
