NATIONAL Capital Region Police Office director Major General Vicente D. Danao Jr. said they are already prepared for President Rodrigo Duterte’s last State-of-the-Nation-Address and police officers will use body cams in guarding the movement of expected anti-government protesters during the event.

“We will also be deploying our personnel who are equipped with Body-Worn Cameras para po mamonitor natin yung lahat ng movement lalong lalo na yung sa security aspect. Mas makikita natin yung movement ng mga tao at mas matututukan natin yung placement ng kanilang deployment. This is to ensure na hindi tayo malulusutan ng any suspicious person na maaaring gumawa ng kalokohan,” Danao said.

The Metro Manila police chief said a total of 15,000 personnel will be deployed to secure peace and order during the event and especially guard against people who will try to resort to violence and other unlawful actions during the President’s address.

Maj. Gen. Danao spearheaded the security preparations and deployment plans for SONA 2021 with other senior NCRPO and Quezon City Police District officials led by Brigadier Gen. Antonio C. Yarra at the QCPD headquarters in Camp Karingal.

Also present during the meeting were representatives from the Q.C. local government and other agencies involved in the security preparations.

“This is to guarantee that before, during and the aftermath of the SONA will go smoothly as planned since it will be more challenging than it was over the past few years due to the threat of the current health crisis.” Danao said.

According to the official, they have ready contingency plans if ever there will be trouble from the protesters during the event.

Already, the NCRPO have conducted dialogues with different community, civil society leaders and other stakeholders as part of their move to ensure a peaceful and orderly SONA.

“Mayroon din naman tayong tinatawag na freedom of expression pero siyempre let us always take consideration of the IATF rules because it can be a cause of wide spreaders lalo na ngayon with DELTA variant, na very dangerous.

Kaya kami po ay nakikiusap sa lahat na kung wala naman kayong ibang gagawin, siguro po magstay at home na lang. Lalong lalo na ngayon, baka magkahawaan pa tayo lalo niyan,” Maj. Gen. Danao said.

Philippine National Police chief, General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar earlier appealed anew to the public to fully cooperate with the government and strictly observe health protocols amid the threat of the COVID-19 Delta variant.

“Lahat tayo ay naging saksi sa mga naganap sa India at hindi natin gugustuhin na mangyari ang pananalasa ng COVID-19 sa ating bansa, lalo pa’t may mga kumpirmadong kaso at may mga namatay na nga sa ating bansa dahil sa Delta variant,” he said.

“Subalit nananatiling nasa kamay ng bawat Pilipino ang kaligtasan ng ating bansa, ang kailangan lamang ay manatiling sumunod sa mga alituntuning ipinapatupad ng ating pamahalaan para sa proteksyon ng bawat isa,” the PNP chief added.

The COVID-19 Delta variant, first detected in India, is said to be more transmissible.