9k cops, force multipliers to be deployed for SONA

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) will deploy around 9,000 police officers and augmentation forces for President Duterte’s fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 22, officials said yesterday.

In a press briefing at Camp Crame, PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde said the number is higher compared to last year’s SONA where they fielded about 7,000 security forces.

Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, National Capital Region Police Office director, said 7,500 of the security contingent are police officers.

The remaining 1,500 of the security contingent are personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority as well as barangay peacekeeping officers and other force multipliers.

Eleazar downplayed the increase in the number of personnel, saying he expects the situation to be peaceful similar to Duterte’s previous SONAs. – Non Alquitran