Davao SONA protest peaceful: Police

DAVAO CITY – The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) declared the protest rally against President Rodrigo Duterte's State of the Nation Address (SONA) here as peaceful and orderly.

Senior Insp. Ma Teresita Gaspan, DCPO spokersperson, said the protesters were led by Carlo Olalo, the Secretary General of the Kilusang Mayo Uno for Southern Mindanao; Abdul Sisay of the League of Filipino Students; and Toto Bolcan and Francis Roba of KADAMAY.

Anti-SONA rallyists started to gather at the Freedom Park at 2:40 p.m, chanting invectives against President Duterte, as well as expressing opposition against martial law in Mindanao, contractualization, demolition of irregular setters, alleged political killings, jeepney phase out, TRAIN law, and the supposed trumped up charges against militant personalities.

At Rizal and Osmeña parks, where live feeds were provided for residents, crowds of people overflowed into the streets as they waited for the President's  SONA following the delay caused by the shakeup in the House leadership.

“Mas mayo ning maminaw ta aron kabalo ta unsay mga direktiba sa Presidente (It’s better to listen to know what are the directives of the President,” said Ramiro, a watch-your-car boy in Rizal Park area, who offered only his first name.

Ramiro said he was proud to see the President serving the whole country, even if he was used to see Duterte at City Hall when he was still mayor.

Ramiro also expressed support for the government's anti-drug war, saying the blame should be cast on drug peddlers, who remain in the drug trade despite the President's stern warning.

 “Gahi man gud ug ulo ning mga tawo dili mag undang (Some people are just hard-headed they don’t stop),” he said referring to drug pushers.

For his part, Vice Mayor Bernard Al-ag described the President’s SONA as "straightforward with clear focus on the administration's plans for this generation and the next."

Al-ag also approved of the President’s call for Congress to pass laws that would pave reforms on health, labor, environment, and telecommunications sectors. (Lilian C. Mellejor/PNA)