THE PNP will implement a Metro Manila-wide gun ban from July 22 to 26 as part of security preparations for the first State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Marcos on July 25 at the Batasang Pambansa Complex.
PNP Director for Operations Maj. Gen. Valeriano De Leon said the gun ban implementation has been approved by PNP officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr.
“There will be (a gun ban). I just talked to our good officer-in-charge, Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao, and he verbally approved the (implementation) of the suspension of permit to carry firearms outside of residence,” said De Leon.
Danao confirmed approving the proposal, saying this is similar to the measure the PNP implemented prior to the inauguration of Marcos last June 30.
“It (SONA) is another big event so we need to suspend the permit to carry (firearms outside of residence). It’s to ensure no one will carry firearms (outside residence),” De Leon said, adding: “If you are caught with a firearm, it means you have a plan (to do something bad).”
He said they were encouraged by the result of the gun ban during the June 30 inauguration of Marcos.
As of yesterday, De Leon said the PNP has not monitored any information about plans to sabotage the SONA. The PNP earlier said 15,000 personnel from the PNP, AFP and other government agencies will be deployed to secure the SONA.
He said the job is “a little bit lighter” because the President is delivering his address inside a building.
De Leon said the PNP is holding dialogues with rally organizers to keep their programs peaceful.
He said protest actions will be allowed in freedom parks but rallyists will not be allowed to go near the Batasan complex. He added the PNP will exercise maximum tolerance in dealing with the protesters.
“We are reminding (them) not to cause trouble. This is the first SONA (of President Marcos) so let us not make a scene because this is when we are going to know what our beloved President will do in the next six years,” said De Leon.
“President Marcos has been in office for less than a month only so we appeal to the protesters to first hear his plans and how they will be implemented. Let us give the new administration under the leadership of President Marcos a chance to prove its capability to run the government well,” he added.
“The NCRPO (National Capital Region Police Office) will be supervising the task force and we will just be there to ensure preparations, all the plans, will be implemented,” said De Leon.
