Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 23) — Authorities said they have completed security preparations for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s second State of the Nation Address on Monday with close to 22,000 personnel assigned to ensure safety.
Metro Manila Police chief PBGen Jose Nartatez Jr. led inspections on Sunday and said personnel from the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology will be deployed.
These personnel will be assigned to emergency disaster response and quick reaction teams, as well as checkpoints.
\”Baka sabihin nila OA (overacting) or whatsoever. Remember that the deployment or utilization of 22,000 is may iba-ibang parte or gagawin na mission ‘yun or function,\” Nartatez said.
\”There’s no such thing as napakarami, ibig sabihin kuyog or whatsoever. Importante, prepared tayo na nag-a-address dito sa mga nakikita nating problema,\” he added.
[Translation: They might say it’s OA or whatsoever. Remember that the deployment or utilization of 22,000 is they have different missions or functions. There’s no such thing as too many. What’s important is we’re prepared to address what we see as problems.]
Nartatez said they are continuously reviewing their security plan to make sure everything goes smoothly on July 24.
They have also prepared a multi-agency coordinating center capable of monitoring areas using CCTV cameras, a mobile command center, and drones.
A gun ban will also be strictly implemented on Monday.
Around 20,000 rallyists are expected during the event, but they are only allowed to stage their protest at a designated area along Commonwealth Avenue.
They will be allowed to bring effigies as long as they do not burn anything made of plastic since this is against the law.
Motorists are reminded that three northbound lanes of Commonwealth Avenue will remain open.
The Quezon City Police District also inspected areas around the Batasan Pambansa to Welcome Rotonda to Litex.
\”Handa na ang ating kapulisan, ‘yung every year na ginagawa nating paghahanda. Hindi lamang mas handa ngayon, through the years alam mo na saan mo ilalagay, ide-deploy mga tao,\” said Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos.
[Translation: The police are ready, the preparations we do every year haven’t just gotten better this year, through the years, you already know where people should be deployed.]
According to authorities, the QC government gave permits to four groups to hold their protests. PNP chief Benjamin Acorda said the police would see to it that the rallies are done peacefully.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said they would be on heightened alert because of the SONA.
\”Naka-heightened alert ang Philippine Coast Guard sa National Capital Region-Central Luzon, Northeastern Luzon, Northwestern Luzon, Southern Tagalog, at Bicol,\” the agency said in a statement Sunday.
\”Katuwang ang Armed Forces of the Philippines at Philippine National Police, magpapakalat ang PCG ng mga security personnel, K9 units, at medical teams sa mga kritikal na lugar sa NCR kaugnay ng SONA 2023,\” added the PCG.
[Translation: The Philippine Coast Guard in the National Capital Region-Central Luzon, Northeastern Luzon, Northwestern Luzon, Southern Tagalog, and Bicol are all on heightened alert. Working with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, the PCG will deploy security personnel, K9 units, and medical teams in critical areas in NCR for SONA 2023.]
