
All security preparations are in place for the third State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Marcos Jr. at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City on Monday, July 22, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said.
Col. Xerxes Trinidad, chief of AFP public affairs office, said 500 military personnel will augment the main security force of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in securing the upcoming SONA.
They will be led by Brig. Gen. Eric Macaambac, commander of AFP's Joint Task Force-National Capital Region (JTF-NCR).
The force was part of the 23,000 contingent deployed in a send-off ceremony in Quezon City on Friday, July 19.
The primary security force that will be fielded on the ground is composed of 17,000 PNP personnel, and supported by the AFP, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and Land Transportation Office (LTO).
"The AFP remains steadfast in supporting the PNP and ensuring a secure and peaceful SONA of the President," Trinidad said.
"Through collaborative efforts and unwavering dedication, the AFP stands ready to safeguard the nation's stability and democratic proceedings," he added.
The PNP earlier said that it has not monitored any security threat that might disrupt Marcos' SONA.