Hold rallies but don’t break the law, protesters told

Protest all you want this coming Monday but do not break the law.

President Duterte has welcomed the planned protest actions during his second State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA) on Monday but reminded the protesters to keep them peaceful and orderly.

The President said he respects the right of persons to freedom of speech and freedom of assembly as part of the country’s vibrant democracy.

“This is a democracy. I’m ex-

ponent of freedom to air your grievance. You are free to do anything you want there. Just don’t break the law and don’t impede the flow of traffic,” he said in a state media interview last Thursday.

“Pero magmura ka na doon o ano gusto mo [You can curse or do anything there] it’s your right and we will not interfere in that exercise of that right,” he said in the video posted by Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Margaux Uson on Facebook.

Around 10,000 to 15,000 people are expected to hold rallies near the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City when the President delivers his second SONA on July 24.

And the police intends to deploy 6,000 anti-riot policemen to secure the Batasan complex. Cops have been advised to exercise maximum tolerance towards protesters who will be allowed within 15 to 20 meters of the south gate of the complex. Direct to the point Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar said the President has started rehearsing his speech to bring it to less than 50 minutes. “The president said he does not want his “written speech” to go beyond 40 or 50 min. He wants it direct to the point,” Andanar said in a text message.

He estimates the final draft to be between 15 to 18 pages.

The speech is written in English, but there’s no telling if it will remain the same on Monday as Duterte is known to go off-script in his speeches, speaking in a mix of English, Filipino, and Bisaya.

“It is possible that he will do an impromptu speech because he is very passionate in his speeches. He is very passionate about issues that he want people to understand,” Andanar said.

“It’s like the fire in his heart becomes words or becomes part of the impromptu [speech]. [Pwedeng] hahaba talaga siya hanggang 60 minutes (It can reach up to an hour),” he added.

Those who confirmed to attend the President’s SONA are Vice President Leni Robredo and former presidents Fidel V. Ramos and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Former President Benigno Aquino III was invited but begged off. (Genalyn D. Kabiling with a report from Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos)