Anti-riot cops reminded: No firearms in dealing with SONA protesters

Anti-riot police received a last-minute reminder Sunday against bringing firearms in dealing with protesters during President Benigno Aquino III's State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday. Metro Manila police chief Chief Superintendent Alan Purisima sternly warned that anti-riot police who will caught with firearms will face administrative sanctions. He said anti-riot police can only bring shields in dealing with protesters. "Pinagbabawal natin ang armas sa CDM natin. Yan nakapaloob sa operational procedure ng PNP. Ang sinuman na mahuhuling may armas sa CDM ay may kaakibat na kasong administratibo," Purisima said in an interview on dzBB radio. (We strictly ban civil disturbance unit personnel from bringing firearms. Anyone caught with firearms will be dealt with severely for violating the operational procedure of the Philippine National Police.) For its part, militant umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan announced Sunday it will parade a giant 14-foot "Penoy" (rotten egg) effigy along Commonwealth Avenue on Monday. It said the "egg" relates to President Aquino's performance during the past year. Bayan and several anti-administration protesters are expected to hold marches near the Batasan Complex Monday, when Aquino delivers his second SONA before a joint session of Congress. Purisima said at least five task forces are now in place to ensure peace and order at Monday's SONA. He said they have been on full alert since Saturday to make sure they are ready to deal with any eventuality. Last-minute human rights reminders Meanwhile, Purisima said the Commission on Human Rights will give police a last-minute reminder on respecting human rights Monday morning. He said they will also attend a 7 a.m. Mass before going to their places of assignment. "Sa 7 a.m. may misa tapos nun may magsasalita magpapaalala sa pulis sa kanilang aksyon (We will attend a 7 a.m. Mass, after which a representative from the CHR will remind them to respect human rights)," he said. Militants to parade giant 'egg' For their part, militants will roll out an effigy of Aquino as a giant rotten egg along Commonwealth Avenue. Parodying Aquino's nickname PNoy, artists and people’s organizations created a "penoy"-inspired effigy for the SONA. In a news release, Bayan said it and UGATLahi Artist Collective, along with UP Diliman students and artists from abroad, crafted this year’s effigy. "The effigy reflects Aquino’s performance during his first year... Papet, inutil at pahirap ang unang taon ni Aquino (Aquino was a useless puppet in his first year)," said Crisanto de Leon, chairman of UGATLahi Artist Collective. The effigy includes the egg with Aquino’s face and a US-made Hummer jeep. The "penoy" is mounted on the camouflage-painted jeep and "appears to break or crack to let out the issues that have hounded the administration in the past year, such as rampant oil price hikes, public-private partnerships, unemployment and demolition of communities." Protesters will burn the effigy as part of their anti-SONA program. — KBK, GMA News