PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda yesterday said there will be no “overkill” in police deployment during the second State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Marcos Jr. on July 24.
Acorda made the assurance during a press conference at Camp Crame, adding the PNP is in the thick of preparations for the SONA, including the conduct of threat assessment.
Acorda said National Capital Region Police Office Director Maj. Gen. Edgar Alan Okubo will be the “commander on the ground.”
As to the number of policemen who will be deployed during the event, Acorda said “we will come up with a minimum requirement for the meantime.”
He said the PNP will make adjustments later “but as much as possible we don’t want to do what we call overkill.”
Some 22,000 policemen and “force multipliers” were deployed to secure the first SONA of the President last year, which turned out to be generally peaceful.
Acorda said the PNP does not want the streets to be affected by traffic congestion, adding: “It should be business as usual, except that people will be listening to the message of the President.”
Acorda said the PNP is continuously conducting a threat assessment for the event.
Asked whether rallies will be allowed near the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City where the President will deliver his address, Acorda said there are “designated areas” for such protests.
“We have certain limitations on that (where to hold protests),” said Acorda.
Acorda added the PNP will observe maximum tolerance in dealing with possible protesters, stressing the rights of the protesters will be respected.
