THE PNP yesterday said it finalizing security preparations for the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Marcos Jr at the Batasang Pambansa complex in Quezon City on Monday, while Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte suspended classes in all levels in private and public schools in the city on SONA day.
On the security preparations, PNP spokeswoman Col. Jean Fajardo said “we are already all systems go.”
“What are doing this is week is finetuning and minor adjustments, if we are going to see minor security concerns,” Fajardo said.
Fajardo reiterated the PNP will conduct simulation and communication exercises as part of the security preparations.
“We’re doing contingency planning in case there is a security concern that we are going to encounter while we are preparing for the SONA,” added Fajardo.
Police officials earlier said at least 22,000 personnel from the PNP and other government agencies will be deployed to secure the President’s second SONA.
Fajardo said the Commonwealth Avenue is a “busy street,” thus no rallies should be allowed on the thoroughfare. Nevertheless, she said, it is the Quezon City government’s that will decide on whether to issue rally permits in certain areas.
“But just the same, whether or not there will be (rally) permits, the PNP is prepared for that as part of our contingency planning,” said Fajardo.
“In the absence of a permit, they (rallyists) can hold rallies at the designated freedom park which is Quezon Memorial Circle,” added Fajardo.
