Manila: Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. announced that 51 individuals were arrested for various violations during protest actions leading up to the fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

According to Philippines News Agency, most of those arrested were caught in the act of vandalism. They violated Republic Act No. 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, Batas Pambansa 880, or the Public Assembly Act of 1985, along with local ordinances pertaining to the wearing of balaclavas, a type of cloth headgear that covers the head, neck, and most of the face.

Gen. Nartatez referred to a previous incident, stating, "You remember what happened in September last year? We will not allow them to create trouble on the roads that affect the peaceful conduct of protest actions," recalling the events of Sept. 21, 2025, in Manila when masked teenagers attacked police and set barricades on fire during an anti-corruption rally. This surprise attack resulted in injuries to several policemen at the height of the protest along Ayala Bridge.

In response to these security concerns, over 21,000 policemen were deployed across various parts of Quezon City and Metro Manila to ensure the safety and orderliness of the SONA. "A sufficient number of our personnel and resources are already on the ground along with our partners from other government agencies. We all have the same goal of ensuring a peaceful and orderly SONA, and we all have the same commitment to deliver," Nartatez stated.

The PNP chief emphasized the importance of closely monitoring suspicious individuals and activities that could disrupt the event. Intelligence monitoring and police visibility operations have been intensified in areas considered critical for public safety. Officers have been instructed to exercise maximum tolerance and adhere strictly to established operational procedures to maintain peace and order during the rallies.