THE PNP will impose a gun ban in the National Capital Region, Southern Tagalog and Central Luzon as part of preparations for the second State of the Nation Address of President Marcos Jr. on July 24.
PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said the gun ban will take effect at 12:01 a.m. on July 24 and will last until midnight on July 25.
Fajardo said Central Luzon and Southern Tagalog were included in the gun ban due to their proximity to Metro Manila.
“That is part of the security assessment and risk assessment of our security forces that for them, one day of suspension of PTCFORs (Permits To Carry Firearms Outside of Residence) is appropriate,” Fajardo said, adding the number of days may still change depending on the assessment of security forces as the SONA draws near.
She said even juridical entities who were issued PTCFORs are not allowed to carry firearms outside of their houses, adding that only law enforcers on official duty and in complete uniform are allowed to bear arms on July 24. Fajardo said violators will be charged.
She said security personnel to be tapped on SONA Day are “almost 100 percent” ready.
“What we are doing now is to review and check some last-minute adjustments. But on the part of the PNP, our men are all prepared and ready to be deployed,” she added.
As part of security preparations, Fajardo said the PNP will conduct simulation exercises that will determine if their preparations need fine-tuning.
Ranking police officials are also expected to hold walk-throughs and ocular inspections on areas of convergence and engagements.
Fajardo said around 6,000 cops will be deployed in the vicinity of the Batasang Pambansa and other areas while local police will continue their routine patrol.
Just like in past SONAs, Fajardo said contingent forces from the Central Luzon Police Regional Office and Southern Tagalog Regional Police Office will be sent to Metro Manila as standby forces for any eventuality.
Several transport groups are set to hold a three-day transport holiday that will coincide with the SONA.
Mar Valbuena, Malayang Alyansa ng Bus Employees at Laborers (Manibela) national president, said the transport strike will begin on July 24 and will last until the 26th.
He said joining the strike are groups from Metro Manila, Southern Tagalog, and Central Luzon. He added other members from other provinces are also ready to join the transport strike.
The transport strike aims to get Marcos’ attention to the supposed failures of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Chairman Teofilo Guadiz, who they claimed is indifferent to the plight of public utility vehicle drivers.
