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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider What overkill? PNP says nothing wrong with deployment of over 21,000 cops to secure SONA

What overkill? PNP says nothing wrong with deployment of over 21,000 cops to secure SONA

Published Jul 27, 2026 12:16 pm
An aerial view shows protesters being held back by police lines along C.M. Recto Avenue in Manila early July 27, as rallies begin ahead of President Marcos’ SONA. Security has been tightened across Manila and Quezon City, with more demonstrations expected throughout the day. (Photos courtesy of Manila Police District)
An aerial view shows protesters being held back by police lines along C.M. Recto Avenue in Manila early July 27, as rallies begin ahead of President Marcos’ SONA. Security has been tightened across Manila and Quezon City, with more demonstrations expected throughout the day. (Photos courtesy of Manila Police District)
The Philippine National Police (PNP) hit back at leaders of some groups that are claiming that the government is overreacting in securing the 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Marcos.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr. said they are just doing their job in terms of ensuring the peace and order in the annual event at the Batasan Pambansa which usually comes with protest actions.
“We are 230,000 nationwide, we can utilize all these resources to ensure public safety as well as peace and order. And there is no such thing as overkill in ensuring peace and order and public safety,” said Nartatez.
He was reacting to the statement of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan president Renato Reyes who said that it is the policemen who are causing disturbance and inconvenience to the public due to their presence in some key roads.
Nartatez said there’s nothing wrong with the deployment as it is intended for peace and order, “The more you bring in security forces, the more it would be secured.”
At least four groups were granted permits to hold rallies and the PNP earlier called the organizers to be wary of provocateurs by implementing safety measures.
On Monday morning, Nartatez conducted a troop visit and inspection on some of the areas being secured by the police and likewise showed the command center where the PNP will monitor the ground security.
He said part of the security measures is the coordination with as many agencies, especially in traffic management along Commonwealth Avenue and other areas where protest actions are expected to be held.
Police forces in Metro Manila have been on full alert status since Thursday night and Nartatez said police personnel have also been directed to closely monitor suspicious individuals and activities that may disrupt the event.
Intelligence monitoring and police visibility operations have likewise been intensified in areas considered critical to public safety.
“A sufficient number of our personnel and resources are already on the ground along with our partners from other government agencies. We all have the same goal of ensuring a peaceful and orderly SONA, and we all have the same commitment to deliver,” he earlier said.
Nartatez said police commanders on the ground were tasked to implement the planned security measures but were instructed to make necessary and real-time adjustments depending on the prevailing situation.
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