EXCEPT for the arrest of 34 individuals, the protest action related to President Rodrigo Duterte's State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday, July 27, 2020, was "generally peaceful".
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Debold Sinas thanked activists for abiding by quarantine rules during their protest action inside the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman campus a few hours before the Sona.
Citing the estimate of the Quezon City Police District, Sinas said at least 1,800 people joined the protest action. No untoward incident was recorded.
The protesters dispersed after two hours, or around 12 noon, in compliance with their agreement with the police and the UP administration.
Before the protest, Sinas said a total of 34 persons were arrested - five in Quezon City, five in Caloocan City and 24 in Marikina City.
Those arrested in Quezon City were members of jeepney driver group Piston. They were on board a jeepney and were making their way to UP when police arrested them.
In Caloocan City, five persons who were also on board a jeepney with placards and flyers were also arrested.
Sinas said traditional public utility jeepneys are still not allowed on the streets in Metro Manila, which is under general community quarantine (GCQ).
The 24 persons arrested in Marikina were in a van in violation of social distancing protocols.
He said investigators were determining the charges that will be filed against the arrested persons.
"Kagaya nung doon sa Marikina, hindi naman alam ng tropa natin sa checkpoint na mag-protesta sila. Nakita lang dahil overloading... Initially yung violation sa RA 11332 kasi nga ang sinabi ng IATF only 50 percent (ang sakay)," Sinas said.
Meantime, Sinas said policemen deployed in Quezon City, especially near the House of Representatives, will remain in their position until Duterte finishes his speech.
He said he alerted his men to some possible "agitators" who may hold a lightning rally.
Police have been directed to advise anybody found along Commonwealth Avenue to leave and arrest those who refuse to do so. (VoxPop Philippines)