Activists announced on Monday that they will proceed with burning effigies during the 4th State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., despite warnings from the Philippine National Police (PNP) chief that such actions would violate environmental laws.
Bayan president Renato Reyes emphasized that the burning of effigies is a longstanding tradition within the Philippine protest movement, serving as a form of free expression. “Itong sinasabi ng kapulisan, tingin namin ay hindi nakakatulong. Pampagulo lang. Hindi dapat sigurong pansinin pa itong PNP sa kanilang ginagawa,” Reyes stated in a DZMM interview.
He argued that the police’s claims lack legal basis, asserting, “Walang batayan sa batas ‘yung kanilang sinasabi so tuloy lang.” Reyes also noted that previous protesters who burned effigies were declared innocent, with all charges subsequently dropped.
The progressive groups plan to continue their counter-SONA, which will address issues such as the halted impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte and the significant expenditures on flood control measures, despite the possibility of inclement weather.