People's SONA Held Alongside President's Address Sees Arrests, Heightened Tension

The State of the Nation Address ng Sambayanan (People’s SONA), held concurrently with President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), has been declared a success by organizers, who stated that various sectors of society were able to voice their real experiences and perspectives on the nation's condition. "We at BAYAN are happy that our march pushed through. It did not rain, the program was completed, and different sectors were able to voice out their real experiences, what is the state of the nation for them," said former Bayan Muna congressman Teddy Casiño. However, Casiño expressed concern over the arrest of 51 protesters along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City, who were detained for alleged vandalism. "It’s saddening that 51 protesters were illegally arrested by the police. It’s impossible that all 51 people engaged in vandalism at the same time," he stated, adding that some individuals were also barred from participating. Despite these issues, Casiño described the event as otherwise successful, hoping it presented two narratives of truth: one inside Congress and one outside. Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. confirmed the arrest of 51 individuals for alleged vandalism and wearing balaclavas. Reports from "24 Oras" showed some individuals painting walls, with tensions escalating during the arrests, leading to scuffles. The arrested individuals were transported to a jail bus. Further incidents included protesters burning what appeared to be a US flag. QCPD director Police General Randy Silvio said that some protesters violated regulations and that the prosecutor's office would assess the filed cases. BAYAN has raised alarms over the manner of the arrests. Separately, a vehicle bearing an Office of the President sticker was towed after it was not removed from Commonwealth Avenue. Source: GMA News Philippines