6,000 cops to be deployed for SONA

MANILA, Philippines — At least 6,000 police officers will be deployed to secure the Batasang Pambansa complex during the 3rd State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Duterte on July 23, a police official said yesterday.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Chief Superintendent Guillermo Eleazar said a security plan would be presented before officials of the House of Representatives on Wednesday.

Prepared by the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), the security plan for the SONA will be presented to House officials after its approval tomorrow by Philippine National Police Directorate of Operations head Chief Superintendent MaO Aplasca.

After the presentations, the NCRPO will start consultative meetings with all stakeholders for the conduct of peaceful and orderly SONA activities, Eleazar said.

“We will be meeting not only militant and left-leaning groups but also pro-Duterte officials to determine where they would be allowed to hold their respective rallies,” said Eleazar in an interview.

Eleazar noted that there would be massive traffic during the SONA because of the ongoing construction of MRT-7 along Commonwealth Avenue.

Eleazar named QCPD director Chief Superintendent Joselito Esquivel as the overall head of the SONA security contingent.

Eleazar is not new to SONA security, being head of the QCPD for two years before his recent assignment as NCRPO chief.

In the past two years, Eleazar said they allowed militant groups to stage their protest rally along IBP Road, which is about 100 meters away from the Batasang Pambansa.