Metro Manila, July 23 ------ A total of 21,853 security forces will be on duty for President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr.'s upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 25 according to the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).
Of the number, 16,964 police personnel will come from NCRPO, 1,905 from Philippine National Police support units, and 2,974 from other coordinating agencies and other peacekeeping partners, it said in a statement. Authorities initially planned to deploy 15,174 cops to secure the Batasang Pambansa complex in Quezon City where Marcos' SONA will be held. The number was amplified after the NCRPO conducted its first inter-agency meeting with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, local government units, Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, force multipliers, volunteer groups, and other concerned agencies at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.
Aside from deployment of police personnel, the implementation of gun ban was also discussed during the meeting, among other security measures. NCRPO stated a gun ban will be imposed in Metro Manila starting July 22 until July 27. "Expect stricter police inspections in the conduct of checkpoints, 'Oplan Sita', foot/mobile patrol and stringent other police operations/interventions especially in connection to loose firearms," it warned. It also said the MMDA will implement road rerouting and mount zipper lanes in Quezon City to allow essential vehicles to freely use Commonwealth Avenue as a primary thoroughfare to the event. “We are elated to report that everyone was so cooperative in addressing some flaws in the overall plan," said NCRPO Regional Director Maj Gen. Felipe Natividad. "We will continuously conduct dialogue and coordination meetings not only with our partners and counterparts but also with community and civil society leaders to determine and address concerns in order to ultimately achieve a peaceful and safe State of the Nation Address of PBBM,” he also said.
Source: cnnphilippines.com
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