Nearly 22,000 cops, other gov't personnel to secure PBBM's first SONA
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has increased the number of security personnel that will be deployed to secure the first State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Bongbong Marcos.
From 15,000 security personnel, Metro Manila police chief Maj. Gen. Felipe Natividad said the figure is now at almost 22,000 in order to maximize the protection of the event which will be held on July 25 at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City.
He said 16,964 of those who would be deployed will come from the National Capital Region Police Office while 1,905 others will come from other PNP units.
On the other hand, a total of 2,974 will come from various government agencies that include the military, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, the Philippine Ciast Guard, the Bureau of Fire Protection and others.
The increase in deployment of personnel was discussed during the inter-agency meeting wherein the security preparations for the SONA were presented.
Aside from deployment, the implementation of a six-day gun ban and traffic rerouting were also discussed.
"We are elated to report that everyone was so cooperative in addressing some flaws in the overall plan,” said Natividad.
“We will continuously conduct dialogue and coordination meetings not only with our partners and counterparts but also with the community and civil society leaders to determine and address concerns in order to ultimately achieve a peaceful and safe State of the Nation Address of PBBM,” he added.