INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines鈥擳he director of the Quezon City Police District urged protesters during President Aquino鈥檚 State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday (July 28) to 鈥渂e mature enough鈥� so as not to create unnecessary trouble or injuries.
QCPD initiated a dialogue on Sona preparations on Wednesday but most leaders of cause-oriented groups did not show up.
鈥淲e need to talk to them. Unfortunately, they鈥檙e not here,鈥� Chief Supt. Richard Albano, the QCPD director, said.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e probably busy. But we鈥檙e also busy ensuring peace and security,鈥� he said.
Albano said the protesters should know their limit and follow the law.
鈥淲e have a media box. If they want to be heard, they can go there. Why do they have to insist on going to the House of Representatives?鈥� Albano said.
He said the leaders would be held responsible for the actions of their group members.
鈥淭he police will only react if they will initiate,鈥� he said.
To avoid a repeat of a Sona incident wherein a cop was reduced to tears at the height of tensions with protesters, PNP Director General Alan Purisima has issued a directive to policemen to be in their best state physically and mentally, according to Chief Supt. Reuben Theodore Sindac, the PNP spokesman.
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