NEARLY 23,000 policemen and personnel from other agencies will secure the fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. today, Monday.
Maj. Hazel Asilo, spokesperson for the National Capital Region Police Office, said 16,020 personnel are coming from the NCRPO. Asilo said PNP support units from Camp Crame, Central Luzon and Calabarzon regional police offices will deploy 3,707 policemen.
“From other agencies, we have 3,220 personnel,” said Asilo, referring to personnel from the Armed Forces and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.
Asilo said they have not monitored any threat to the SONA, which will be delivered by the President at the Batasang Pambasa complex in Quezon City.
“We have not monitored any serious threat that will cause any untoward incident,” said Asilo, citing information from the intelligence community.
The MMDA said all the necessary preparations, ranging from traffic re-routing to the deployment of personnel, for the SONA are in place.
MMDA Chairperson Romando Artes said emergency response teams have been deployed on Commonwealth Ave. in Quezon City as early as last Saturday, while a mobile command center has been put in place to monitor traffic flow and coordinate security operations during the SONA, which is expected to draw large crowds in the vicinity of the Batasang Pambansa.
Asilo said they expect the usual anti-government protests, adding that protesters are allowed to hold activities only up to the St. Peter’s Parish along Commonwealth Avenue, about 7.5 kilometers away from the Batasan Complex.
In past SONAs, government supporters were allowed to converge in front of the Commission on Audit building, which is about 1.5 kilometers from the Batasan Complex, while anti-government groups were only allowed up to St. Peter’s Parish.
“That’s the endpoint. They will not be allowed to go beyond that area. There’s only one location (end point) for the pro and anti-protesters so no one will accuse us of bias or favoritism,” said Asilo.
“We are3 hoping that the rallies will be peaceful,” said Asilo.
Asilo also stressed that cops who will be deployed to secure the SONA will maintain maximum tolerance, as per “the instruction of our Chief PNP and our regional director,” referring to PNP chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III and NCRPO director Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin.
“Let us allow our countrymen, especially the protesters, to air their grievances,” said Asilo, adding they are hoping that protesters will comply with the conditions set in the permits issued to them by the local government of Quezon City.
“We hope they will follow so that the SONA of our President will be orderly,” said Asilo.
Torre, reacting to the statement of the progressive group Bayan that the number of policemen being deployed for the SONA was an “overkill,” said: “We always respect the opinion of other people.”
“We’re just trying to make sure (the SONA will be peaceful and orderly). We always hope for the best, but we are prepared for the worst,” said Torre.
Torre said the PNP will allow the protesters to air their grievances against the government.
“We should listen to all our countrymen. We will always lend an open ear to them,” said Torre.
The Quezon City Police District (QCPD), which is under the NCRPO, said it is ready to ensure peace and order during the SONA.
It said 3,585 QCPD personnel will be ensuring “public safety and security” during the address.
The QCPD said it started deploying its personnel as early as last Saturday. The deployment will be completed today, before the SONA, “to ensure maximum police presence and operational readiness in all key areas.”
“Our goal is to ensure a safe and orderly environment for everyone during the President’s SONA. We are mobilizing all resources and working closely with partner agencies to secure the area and respond to any potential threats,” said QCPD director Col. Randy Glenn Silvio.
It urged the public to stay vigilant, cooperate with authorities, and report any “suspicious” activities to the PNP’s emergency hotline 911 or to the QC Helpline 122.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said the city will remain open to people who want to exercise their freedom of speech.
“We assure the public that the City Government is on top of this year’s President’s State of the Nation’s Address,” said Belmonte in a statement.
“Our Law and Order Cluster is closely coordinating with the PNP to ensure the safety of our residents and visitors during this day,” added Belomonte.
The city government has suspended classes in public schools today to give way to the SONA.
It said a city-wide liquor ban will also be implemented from 12:01 a.m. to 6 p.m. today “to mitigate any public disturbance caused by intoxication.”
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration weather specialist Obet Badrina said there is a low probability of rain in Metro Manila today.
“In the afternoon and evening, there is a possibility of thunderstorms,” said Badrina in a public weather forecast.
MMDA READY
“Naka-set up na ang ating high-tech Mobile Command Center sa Commonwealth corner Batasan/IBP Road sa Quezon City. Handang handa na po tayo (Our high-tech Mobile Command Center is already in place at Commonwealth corner Batasan/IBP Road in Quezon City. We are fully prepared),” said Artes.
The MCC, according to Artes, is linked to the MMDA Communications and Command Center located in its headquarters in Pasig City.
Artes said rescue vehicles, military trucks, and a speedboat have also been prepositioned in the area.
Earlier, the National Capital Region Police Office said both pro and anti-government groups will only be allowed to assemble up to the St. Peter’s Parish Church.
Artes said the agency will also implement a counterflow or zipper lane in Commonwealth Avenue.
“We will implement a counterflow or zipper lane as usual in Commonwealth Avenue to allow guests such as foreign dignitaries who will attend the SONA to pass through without delay,” Artes told radio DZBB
Artes said the MMDA preparation is not only related to traffic but also to make sure that they are ready if heavy rains cause flooding in the area.
He said the agency has deployed temporary pumps that would quickly transfer water from the highway to a creek.
Artes said the agency will also strictly enforce the No Contact Apprehension Program along Commonwealth Avenue.
EPD DEPLOYMENT
The Eastern police district (EPD) will deploy 1,269 personnel for the SONA, according to Brig. Gen. Aden Lagradante, EPD director.
Lagradante said they will deploy 754 police personnel to augment security in Quezon City, along with 128 Reactionary Standby Support Force (RSSF) and 387 personnel for anti-criminality operations in Metro East.
Lagradante added that EOD/Canine, SWAT and other special units will also be deployed to support beat/foot patrollers and mobile teams in the conduct of check/chokepoints, and other anti-criminality operations in areas of public convergence.
“Aligned with the Chief PNP’s 5-Minute Response Time Policy and the Triple A strategic framework Able, Active, and Allied Police Force, we are committed to ensuring a peaceful, orderly, and secure SONA 2025,” Lagradante said. – With Christian Oineza
