The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) deployed troops on the ground to support the Philippine National Police (PNP) in securing the fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Marcos Jr. on Monday, July 28.

AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said troops from the Presidential Security Command (PSC) will provide close-in security for Marcos while others will be stationed within the premises and outside Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City.

“We will augment the security that will be provided by the Philippine National Police. They have around 2,500 personnel committed for this and for us, of course the Presidential Security Command will be there for close-in of the Presdient while there will also be soldiers provided for area security,” she said.

The AFP spokesperson, however, could not provide exact details as to the number of the troops that will be sent for SONA.

“We are ready for this event,” she assured the public.

“But the guidance of the President is, over and above the SONA preparations, we should also utilize our manpower for disaster response,” she added.

The AFP continues its humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) operations in areas affected by flooding due to the impact of Tropical Cyclones “Crising”, “Dante”, “Emong” and southwest monsoon (habagat).

Padilla said close to 12,000 personnel were committed for HADR operations nationwide in the aftermath of the strong rains and massive flooding.

Troops from the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM), Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM), and National Capital Region (NCR) Command were delivering relief aid to flooded communities in Luzon and Metro Manila.

Specialized units from its engineer combat battalions, search and rescue groups, and naval engineering brigades were also mobilized to fast-track the recovery of affected communities.

“These are our specialized units for HADR operations. They are the ones being mobilized in aras that really need response,” Padilla said.

AFP assets such as Army trucks, rubber boats, and helicopters are being used to reach geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas so that relief aid could reach them.

The AFP is also mulling airdropping relief supplies in areas that could not be reached via land travel.

“It depends if the area is flyable. It will be determined by the Air Force if the area is flyable but for now we are utilizing our C-130 aircraft to transport relief goods,” Padilla said.