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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider House exec on SONA security: 'We're prepared for any eventuality'

House exec on SONA security: 'We're prepared for any eventuality'

Published Jun 19, 2025 05:08 pm

At A Glance

  • The House of Representatives is prepared to handle any eventuality in terms of security in President Marcos' upcoming fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 28.
The House of Representatives (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)
The House of Representatives (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

The House of Representatives is prepared to handle any eventuality in terms of security in President Marcos' upcoming fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 28.
Thus, said House Secretary General Reginald Velasco as he updated reporters Thursday, June 19 on the preparations for the annual event.
According to Velasco, the Presidential Security Group (PSG), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) are among the agencies involved in maintaining peace and order in the upcoming SONA.
So it's a joint collaboration, all the security, of course our coordinator is our Sergeant-at-arms General Napoleon Taas...Well, based on our meeting, they're really prepared for any eventuality, Velasco said.
Asked if the House has received any security threats for this year's SONA, Velasco said they're expecting only the usual demonstrations.
We have agreed and I think the Quezon City Police [District] (QCPD) will enforce that, that there be a rally zone. They cannot cross that zone that will be designated by the QCPD, said the top civilian House official.
They will secure the place and then there is a common agreement that the rallies will be limited to the areas before, yung sa may UP (University of the Philippines) area (to the UP area) and they cannot come near the Batasan premises. And then the perimeter will be secured by the joint forces of the military and PNP, explained Velasco.
Velasco says the House will also prepare medical facilities for possible medical emergencies.
There will be several ambulances here around the complex and outside the complex. And we have also reserved some rooms...in the hospitals near the House of Representatives, including as far as BGC (Bonifacio Global City)...We're prepared for any eventuality, so we have ambulances with life support.
We have reserved rooms already in these hospitals, so that in case there is any need for it, the rooms are ready for any patients coming from the House of Representatives. But our prayer is still, you know, we hope this worst case scenario will not happen. We're still praying that it will be as successful as the last year's SONA, Velasco said.
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