Thousands rally before SONA – BusinessWorld Online
THOUSANDS of protesters from labor, youth and other sectoral groups marched along Commonwealth Avenue on Monday ahead of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), demanding higher wages, secure jobs, lower prices and greater government accountability.
Police deployed more than 20,000 personnel for SONA security, while the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority assigned 1,481 personnel to manage traffic and emergencies.
Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr. said 51 protesters were arrested for violations of the Solid Waste Management Act, Public Assembly Act and local ordinances, while rights groups questioned the arrests. — Mark Joseph M. Sanchez