The Southern Police District (SPD) said it will deploy 821 “fully prepared police personnel” for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 22.
The deployment of the police is to ensure peace and order during the SONA.
SPD police training for SONA (Photos from SPD)
Headed by Brig. Gen. Leon Victor Rosete, the SPD said “comprehensive preparations have been meticulously undertaken.”
These include a two-day refresher course on civil disturbance management (CDM) operations aimed at enhancing the officers' knowledge and skills in handling civil disturbances.
“This initiative is crucial in ensuring peace and order during SONA 2024 and in preventing any injuries or harm to demonstrators exercising their freedom of speech,” according to the SPD.
The SPD police officers are also practicing eight basic CDM formations, which are important in the implementation of crowd control measures.
“The SPD is committed to carry out their duties to maintaining public order and safety during the upcoming SONA 2024 with utmost professionalism and respect for human rights,” it said.