PNP Warns Against 'Outside Provocateurs' Ahead of SONA 2026

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday warned protesters to be vigilant against “outside provocateurs” ahead of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (Sona). “No rally organizers in their right mind would plan to make their demonstrations violent and compromise the safety of their members, adding that they all have the obligation to ensure that lawful assemblies remain peaceful from start to finish,” PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement. “We call on all rally organizers to protect their own ranks and remain vigilant against outside provocateurs who might take advantage of the demonstrations to instigate violence,” he urged. Marcos will give his annual address to a joint session of Congress to report on the country’s situation on Monday, July 27. Over 21,000 law enforcers will be deployed for security measures, the PNP previously noted. It also detailed that the groups Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, Sanlakas and Better Brighter were granted permits to stage rallies along Commonwealth Avenue for the Sona. Further, Nartatez earlier said the Iglesia ni Cristo, whose central office is located along Commonwealth Avenue, was expected to hold an event also on Monday for its 112th founding anniversary. “Our security forces are fully prepared to uphold the rule of law but mutual cooperation, rooted in self-regulation and adherence to approved permit guidelines, is vital to keeping the upcoming Sona peaceful and orderly for everyone,” the PNP chief said. “All police personnel assigned to Sona security [will] strictly observe maximum tolerance, comply with established crowd management protocols, and respect human rights throughout their operations,” he added. The top cop’s statement also came after a commotion between protesters and police during a rally outside the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Foreign Ministers Meeting at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City. Rallyists alleged police harassed them and photojournalists covering the protest, but Nartatez maintained that it was demonstrators who provoked law enforcers. /das