Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 16) — More than 14,000 police personnel will be on duty in Metro Manila for the President’s upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 22. Nine thousand will be in Quezon City alone, where the event will take place.
Police-General Oscar Albayalde, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, said they have not yet detected any imminent security threat for the event. However, they are keeping their eyes open especially after the suicide bombing in Sulu last month.
“Marami tayong innovations na gagawin o maraming tayong interventions na dapat gawin para hindi na maulit ‘yan. Mayroon prevention and then of course mayroon tayo dito, on our side, police operations also para hindi na mangyari ‘yan especially so this time of SONA,” Albayalde said Monday.
[Translation: We are doing a lot of innovations and interventions so we do not repeat that incident. We have preventive measures and then of course from our side we have police operations also so that will not happen again especially so this time of SONA.]
Protestors are only allowed about two kilometers away from the Batasang Pambansa in Commonwealth Avenue where President Rodrigo Duterte will deliver his SONA. Meanwhile, pro-government rallies will be held near the Saniganbayan.
Metro Manila Police Chief Brigadier General Guillermo Eleazar assured that no threats will be able to sneak in the venue due to the tight security in place.
“Doon sa loob ng Batasan definitely walang makakapasok doon kasi aside from the police securing the perimeter, mahigpit ‘yung security sa loob. Sa labas, naman ‘yung place kung saan magsasagawa ng rally itong mga nagpoprotesta is napakalayo,” Eleazar said.
[Translation: Definitely no one would be able to go inside the Bataan because aside form the police securing the perimeter, there is tight security inside. Outside, the place designated for rallies is too far.]
Rallyists are also discouraged from bringing bags and wearing jackets.
This will be Duterte’s fourth SONA in his six-year term.
CNN Philippines’ Correspondent Gerg Cahiles contributed to this report.
