MANILA, Philippines — Security measures for the fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Marcos tomorrow have been laid out by the Philippine National Police (PNP), including the activation of Task Force Manila Shield, which aims to protect major public events in the metropolis.
With a security contingent of around 12,000 police officers, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said they are ready to ensure public safety during the SONA.
Fajardo said 3,000 police personnel have been deployed two days before the SONA, particularly at the vicinity of the House of Representatives.
“Apart from the SONA, kasama na rin diyan sa skeletal deployment natin ‘yung anti-crime efforts such as police checkpoints and Task Force Manila Shield,” Fajardo said in an interview over dzBB.
She said the PNP would implement security and border control checkpoints not only in Metro Manila, but also in Central Luzon and Calabarzon.
Civil disturbance management teams, the Special Action Force and other elite police units are also ready for deployment, according to Fajardo.
The National Capital Region Police Office was placed on full alert on Friday, NCRPO spokesperson Maj. Hazel Asilo said.
Liquor ban
The Quezon City Police District will enforce a liquor ban tomorrow, QCPD officer-in-charge Col. Randy Glenn Silvio said.
The sale, distribution and consumption of alcoholic beverages in the city are prohibited from 12:01 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Silvio said the measure aims to maintain peace and order, ensuring public safety and preventing any untoward incidents that may disrupt the President’s annual address.
“Please be guided by the laws and regulations being implemented by the city government for the SONA,” Silvio said in a statement.
According to Fajardo, three groups have secured permits to hold demonstrations during the SONA.
These are Tindig Pilipinas, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan and a group of Marcos supporters.
Batasan Road is prohibited to all demonstrators, police said.
Fajardo urged protesters not to burn effigies during the SONA.
Up to 2,700 police personnel from Central Luzon will augment security for the SONA, Brig. Gen. Ponce Rogelio Peñones Jr. said.
MMDA deploys mobile command center
To ensure the smooth flow of traffic during the SONA, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has deployed a mobile command center at the corner of Commonwealth Avenue and Batasan Road in Quezon City.
MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said the facility, which is connected to the agency’s command center in Pasig, would be used to monitor SONA-related activities, including rallies and traffic situation in the area.
The mobile command center is equipped with high-tech communications system such as remote closed-circuit television cameras and drones, Artes said. — Ghio Ong, Ric Sapnu