ILOILO CITY -- Western Visayas was peaceful with no significant incident recorded for the entire period when President Rodrigo Duterte delivered his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, a police spokesperson said.
"There was also no complaint received against police officers who were deployed to secure the engagement areas for violation of rights of the rallyists/protesters," Supt. Joem Malong of the Police Regional Office 6 (Western Visayas) said Tuesday.
PRO-6 deployed 1,192 cops, consisting of 884 anti-riot cops, 290 intelligence cops, and 18 explosive ordinance disposal/K9, to secure areas where an estimated 2,430 protesters converged.
Some 1,000 protesters gathered in Bacolod City; 800 in Iloilo City; 300 in Negros Occidental; 250 in Capiz; and 80 in Aklan.
Malong said they raised such issues as failed promises on illegal drugs, corruption and poverty; wage increase for teachers; oil price increase; Boracay’s closure; militarization; federalism; threat of martial Law; repeal of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law; and no to CHA-CHA (Charter Change).
She attributed the peaceful SONA to their security preparations and the disciplined attendees of the different assemblies who also did their part for the event to end peacefully.
She furthered appealed to the public for their continued support in similar activities to maintain peace and order in Western Visayas. (PNA)
