PNP upgrades alert status for SONA

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police will upgrade its alert status hours before President Duterte delivers his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) today, PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said yesterday.

Albayalde said he approved the recommendation of the PNP Directorate of Operations to place the police force on full alert starting at around 5 a.m.

Chief Superintendent Guillermo Eleazar, director of the National Capital Region Police Office, said the deployment of 7,000 anti-riot policemen would begin at around 4 a.m.

He said the anti-Duterte crowd would hold their program near the St. Peter’s Church along Commonwealth Avenue. Supporters of Duterte will occupy the IBP Road.

Quezon City police chief Senior Superintendent Joselito Esquivel advised motorists to take alternate routes as parts of Commonwealth Avenue and IBP Road would be closed to traffic starting at noon today. – Non Alquitran, Romina Cabrera