No immediate threat for SONA day - QCPD chief

Despite the recent uploading of a video calling for President Benigno Aquino III’s ouster, police see no serious threat to the President's upcoming State of the Nation Address on July 25. On Monday, Quezon City police head Chief Superintendent George Regis said their focus is on rerouting traffic near the Batasan Complex and talking with groups planning rallies come SONA day. "Wala pang such threat na nakarating sa aming himpilan with regards to the SONA. Ang aming dumarating na threat situation is ating mga militant leaders, leftist group natin, maaring mag-agitate ng gulo. But we still see a peaceful SONA," Regis said in an interview on dwIZ radio, when asked about the potential threat of the video. (We see no threat with regards to the SONA. Our concern is more of some militant leaders agitating the crowd. But we still see a peaceful SONA.)

Last weekend, the military started an investigation of retired Marine Col. Generoso Mariano over a video where he supposedly called for Aquino’s ouster and the government’s overthrow. The video was posted on social networking site Facebook. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte on Sunday voiced suspicions Mariano was allied with former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, saying he can work full time for Mrs. Arroyo now that he has retired. Aquino is to deliver his second SONA before a joint session of Congress at the Batasan Complex in Quezon City on July 25. Dialogue with rally organizers For now, Regis said their focus is to dialogue with rally organizers, both from militants and pro-government groups. "We will hold a dialogue with the militant leaders so if they will push through we will still apply maximum tolerance and limit their area of rally near the Batasan Pambansa," he said. If the protesters insist on breaching their limits, he said the police "will be forced to move them back." However, he said police have been traditionally "so tolerant to allow them at the area near Ever Gotesco to stage their protest rally." Regis said police have established areas for the militant and pro-government groups, with militants limited to the area in front of Ever Gotesco going to the Batasan Complex; and pro-government groups near the Sandiganbayan. He said they initially expect 5,500 to attend the rallies but added they are not discounting the possibility of the groups attracting more colleagues from Central and Southern Luzon. "Sa ngayon we have reported 5,500 protest rallyists. Maaring madagdagan yan from Calabarzon and the northern part of Manila (For now we estimate 5,500 protesters to show up. But they can also get reinforcements from Calabarzon and the northern part of Manila)," he said. Rerouting, school closure Meanwhile, Regis said they expect to determine this week if classes in some schools near the Batasan Complex will be suspended on July 25. He also said they are working on the rerouting plans for the area and may present it to media Thursday or Friday. "Maaaring i-present ang rerouting before the SONA on July 25. Ang advisory sa rerouting present ko na lang by Friday or Thursday" (We may present the rerouting for the SONA likely on Friday or Thursday)," he said. — RSJ, GMA News