President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (Noel Pabalate)

By ELLSON QUISMORIO

Presidential Security Command (PSC) chief, Philippine Air Force (PAF) General Nelson Morales has guaranteed President Marcos' safety ahead of the latter's third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 22. 

"The President is secured," Morales told reporters on Monday, July 15 during a walkthrough of Batasang Pambansa Complex, the site of the Chief Executive's annual report to the nation. 

Located in Quezon City, Batasang Pambansa is the home of the House of Representatives. The actual speech will take place inside the House plenary hall, which is an enclosed space. 

Morales gave the assurance on President Marcos' safety a day after what authorities described as the failed assassination of former president Donald Trump during an open-air campaign rally in Pennsylvania.

Trump, the presumptive Republican candidate in the November 2024 United States (US) elections, was shot on his right ear.

In his informal chit-chat with reporters, Morales says that security arrangements on Marcos is always tight, the Trump incident notwithstanding. 

In a separate interview, House Secretary-General Reginald Velasco said that the security matters for the SONA were "all set". 

"Everything all set. All ready. Thank you," he said.
 

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Up to 1,400 PSC members will be deployed for the SONA next Monday. Thus is on top of the 22,000 Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel and 2,700 force multipliers that would be tapped for the event. 

Over 2,000 guests are expected to attend the SONA, including high ranking officials in government and foreign dignitaries. 

Batasang Pambansa Complex will undergo lockdown from July 19 to 21. This means the only people with important business in the House can enter during this period.