NBI looking at possibility IEDs at DOJ, Senate connected to Sona

MANILA, Philippines, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla stated that the Philippine National Police (PNP) used only the “minimum amount of force” to arrest 51 individuals participating in a protest rally linked to the State of the Nation Address (Sona) last week. The arrests occurred during a demonstration organized by progressive groups along Commonwealth Avenue ahead of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth Sona, held on July 27, 2026. According to Remulla, the protesters were engaged in acts of vandalism, including spray painting government property, which constitutes a violation of the law. He emphasized that the police requested the demonstrators to cease their actions, and when they refused, the minimum necessary force was applied to prevent further damage. Remulla made these remarks during a La Salle Institute of Governance forum in Manila on Thursday. He reiterated that no one was injured during the operation and that the protests remained peaceful. “The crime was stopped. The protests were peaceful,” he said. The 51 individuals were apprehended by the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), with nine being held in custody. Of these, seven faced charges of vandalism, malicious mischief, and disobedience to a person in authority, while two others were charged with obstruction of justice. The remaining 42 were released, with 12 confirmed by social workers to be minors. Human rights organization Karapatan criticized the QCPD’s handling of the situation, accusing the police of “psychological torture” of the nine detainees. In response, QCPD spokesperson Maj. Jennifer Gannaban defended the actions taken, stating that the detainees were treated appropriately and that legal representatives were present to assist them from the outset. She welcomed any complaints filed by the detainees and emphasized that the police were fulfilling their duties by conducting thorough investigations. Meanwhile, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. addressed concerns regarding the scale of security operations during the Sona. He clarified that the deployment of over 21,000 law enforcers was not an act of “overkill.” Nartatez argued that increased security measures were necessary to ensure public safety and maintain order. He pointed out that the PNP operates with a total of 230,000 personnel nationwide and that all available resources would be utilized to safeguard the event. This stance followed criticism from Bagong Alyansang Makabayan secretary-general Renato Reyes Jr., who accused the PNP of creating excessive obstacles for protesters and described the security measures as oppressive. During the Sona preparations, authorities also dealt with several incidents. A truck driver was detained in Caloocan City for allegedly running over a patrolman following his shift during the Sona. Additionally, a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) was discovered outside the Senate premises in Pasay City. The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) reported that the IED was identified during a routine security inspection conducted by Pasay City Police Station personnel. The device contained components believed to include explosives, and a safe disposal process was carried out without incident. The PNP also clarified that no nationwide gun ban would be enforced during the Sona. While existing laws and local regulations regarding firearm possession remain in effect, the agency did not issue a directive for a general prohibition. Instead, police personnel will strictly enforce restrictions on carrying firearms and other deadly weapons in designated security zones. Earlier in the week, the National Capital Region Police Office had announced that all firearm-carrying permits outside private residences would be temporarily suspended for the duration of the event. As the Sona approaches, the government continues to monitor potential disruptions and prepare accordingly. President Marcos is set to certify key legislative proposals as urgent once they are officially submitted for his review. These developments underscore the complex interplay between public demonstrations, security measures, and political dynamics leading up to the annual address.