A WEEK before President Marcos Jr’s State of the Nation Address, the PNP yesterday said it still has not monitored any threat to the event that will be held at the Batasang Pambansa complex in Quezon City on Monday next week.
In a press briefing at Camp Crame, PNP spokeswoman Col. Jean Fajardo said the PNP is almost at the final stage of preparations for the third SONA.
“As we speak, we have not monitored any serious threat to disrupt the SONA,” she said.
About 22,000 policemen will be deployed to secure the event.
Fajardo said security forces including the PNP, the Armed Forces, and the Philippine Coast Guard will be collaborating to ensure the President’s SONA will be peaceful and orderly.
“As we speak, we are almost at the final of our preparation. If there will be adjustment, these will be minor adjustments when it comes to our security preparations,” she said.
Fajardo said if adjustments will be made, those might be in the handling of protests.
“Every year, there are rallies being held even if those were not allowed, even if we are saying Commonwealth (Avenue) is a no-rally zone. This will part of the contingency planning of the PNP,” she said.
Fajardo reiterated the PNP will not comment on Vice President Sara Duterte earlier remarks that she will not attend the SONA and she was appointing herself as a “designated survivor.”
Duterte’s remarks have sparked speculations that something might happen during the SONA.
“We’d rather not comment on her statement and let her explain the context of her statement. But on the part of the PNP, when it comes to (security) preparation, we are very ready,” said Fajardo.
The Quezon City government said urged protesters to secure permits from its Department of Public Order and Safety for their rallies, even as it reminded them to “maintain peace and order and avoid disruptive acts.”
“Quezon City remains a bastion of democracy and free speech as we uphold every Filipino’s right to peacefully assemble. However, all rallyists are encouraged to police their ranks and mandated to follow the law,” said QC Mayor Joy Belmonte.
The city government also said personnel and resources have been earmarked to support efforts of the national government to ensure peace and order during the SONA.
Some 6,500 personnel from the Quezon City Police District will be deployed “to ensure the safety and orderliness of the event” while hundreds of personnel from its Department of Public Order and Safety, Task Force Disiplina, and barangays surrounding the SONA 2024 venue will be on hand to provide additional support.
It also said additional traffic enforcers from its Transport and Traffic Management Department will be deployed “to mitigate traffic disruptions on major thoroughfares.”
City government buses and vehicles from the barangays will give free rides to commuters who will be affected.
It said the city’s traffic management sector will release a “detailed traffic rerouting plan in the coming days to guide motorists on which areas to avoid and which roads to use as alternate routes on the day of the event.”
