PHILIPPINE National Police chief General Benjamin C. Acorda Jr. has called on the public to fully cooperate with the police security measures to ensure that President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ R. Marcos Jr. will hold a smooth State-of-the-Nation-Address today, July 24.

Strict security measures have been imposed in and around Batasan Pambansa Complex in Quezon City. The area has been declared a no-fly zone, which means that aircrafts and drones are not allowed within and near the air space of the House of Representatives building today.

The National Capital Region Police Office headed by Brigadier Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. will also impose a Metro Manila-wide gun ban from 12:01 a.m. until midnight of July 24 as Acorda ordered the temporary suspension of all Permit-to-Carry-Firearms-Outside-of-Residence issued to licensed gun holders during the SONA duration.

The PNP chief called on would-be demonstrators to bear in mind that they should also follow the law.

The second regular session of the 19th Congress will open this morning.

Lawmakers are expected to arrive before 3 p.m. and convene a joint session to hear the President’s SONA.

The Constitution requires the President to ‘address the Congress at the opening of its regular session’ and report the state of the country, unveil the administration’s agenda and ask Congress to pass priority legislative measures.

Acorda said they expect rallies to be conducted today but assured participants that their rights would be protected and respected by the police.

According to the top cop, they are 100 percent ready to ensure safety and security in today’s major event where they will be using the same template they implemented during the 1st address to the nation by President Marcos and the other Commanders-in-Chief before him.

Around 23,000 policemen will be on duty to secure the event with some 6,000 to be deployed in the vicinity of the Batasan Pambansa to maintain peace and order.

The NCRPO’s Manila Shield has been activated to secure other places like Malacañang Palace, the historic Chino Roces (formerly Mendiola) Bridge, the EDSA Shrine and other historic places.

“We make sure na yung ating regular beat and patrol ay hindi mako-compromise dahil may mga tinitingnan din tayong mga lugar particularly yung mga crime prone areas natin, hindi natin pababayaan hangga’t may mga naka focus tayong police personnel doon sa paligid at labas ng Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City,” said PNP spokesperson, Colonel Jean Fajardo.

Acorda said they have not received any security threats during the SONA although they are not taking any chances and are seeing to it that all security leaks will be completely plugged.

The Quezon City Police District headed by Brigadier Gen. Nicolas D. Torre III also called on would-be protesters to respect the rights of others and see to it that they will only conduct their activities in designated areas, including so-called freedom parks.

The QCPD will strictly enforce the ‘No Permit, No Rally’ rule in the city during the SONA even as it maintained that the whole stretch of Commonwealth Avenue leading to Batasan Pambansa complex is not considered a ‘freedom park.’

Protesters however would be allowed to converge at the QC Memorial Circle to conduct peaceful rallies. However, they would be prevented from marching towards Commonwealth Avenue as their action would definitely hamper the flow of traffic in the area.

PNP Public Information Office director, Brig. Gen. Redrico A. Maranan said that the NCRPO is well prepared to secure the SONA but will be making very minor adjustments as the situation dictates.

Acorda has also assured the public that police would exercise maximum tolerance in dealing with SONA protesters.

Human Rights Affairs Officers will also be deployed in the area to monitor the situation. Policemen who will be deployed in the protest areas are barred from carrying firearms.

The PNP has had a number of meetings with officials of the Commission on Human Rights and the protest groups to explain their side. Acorda also said there will be no ‘overkill’ when it comes to police deployment during the SONA.

Nartatez is the commander on the ground while PNP Deputy Chief for Operations, Lieutenant Gen. Michael John F. Dubria, will be the overall supervisor of the SONA security.

Acorda said they don’t want the streets to be affected by traffic congestion, especially when protesters march toward unauthorized areas and cause traffic jams.

“It should be business as usual, except that people will be listening to the message of the President,” he said.