Starting at 6 a.m. Sunday, police forces in Metro Manila will be on highest security alert in anticipation of the massive protest action for Monday’s State of the Nation Address (SoNA) of President Arroyo wherein some 25,000 rallyists are expected to flock to the streets, particularly near the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City.

“The National Capital Region Police Office will be on full alert status starting 6 a.m. Sunday,” said Senior Supt. Leonardo Espina, quoting an information relayed by Chief Supt. Roberto Rosales, director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).

The security measures will be implemented by Task Force Kapayapaan, which was created to provide enhanced security, civil disturbance management, traffic management and control as well as other related administrative and operational activities to ensure peace and order during the SoNA.

Rosales was designated as its commander.

The 25,000 expected protesters are members of 16 various organizations, mostly militant groups, which have already applied for permits to conduct rallies. The Quezon City government has granted permits to some of them from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

The protesters include hundreds of farmers and activists who marched all the way from Quezon and Mindoro to protest the proposed Charter change and what they say are the “empty promises” of the President.

Most of the rallyists are expected to converge at the vicinity of Batasang Pambansa, particularly along Commonwealth Avenue and near Capitol Village in Quezon City.

The protesters will be met by at least 10,000 anti-riot cops from five police districts in Metro Manila and police units from nearby provinces.