THE National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), headed by Major General Edgar Alan O. Okubo, will be fully implementing a “No Fly Zone/No Dry Zone” at the Batasan Pambansa Complex and its nearby vicinities during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr on July 24, the Metro Manila police chief advised the public yesterday.

However, the NCRPO will also be flying its own drones as part of its elaborate security measures to secure the President’s address to the nation.

At present, the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), headed by Brigadier Gen. Nicolas D. Torre III, already has several state-of-the-art drones which they are using to better patrol the streets of Q.C. as part of their proven Three-Minute Time Response program.

The QCPD drones will be used to monitor the vicinity of Batasan Pambansa complex before, during and after the July 24 event as they will be very useful in directing the deployment of personnel in areas where they are needed, the Journal Group was told.

Okubo said they are also embarking on a drone development program in the NCRPO under his development framework aimed at providing much better service to the public.

This week, a private company called Safer PH Innovations, Inc. demonstrated its police communications, drone system and mobile command center at the NCRPO headquarters in Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig City.

The system includes the “ATAK” mobile application, which will result in a much faster and more efficient police response as well as license plate recognition technology.

Others include sky drones that could be used in tactical operations and search, rescue and retrieval operations and a virtual shot marksmanship technology.

“Binibigyan din natin ng pansin ang mga inisiyatiba na inaalok ng mga pribadong sektor. Lahat ng maaaring makatuwang natin ay binibigyan ng pantay na pagkakataon. Lalo na at pare-parehas ang ating layunin na panatilihing maayos at ligtas ang ating komunidad,” said Okubo.

The NCRPO is not leaving anything to chance as it has decided to field an additional 804 policemen to help secure the 2nd SONA of President Marcos.

In a report to Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Benjamin C. Acorda Jr., Okubo said they are seeing to it that all security threats to President’s SONA will be fully addressed by deploying all their available personnel and resources.

The official said that overall, 22,905 policemen will be deployed before and during the event. Out of the total, 17,929 will come from the NCRPO regional headquarters and its five districts, while 4,476 will be from allied government units. Another 500 “force multipliers” will also be utilized on D-Day.

Okubo said that are already conducting a number of simulation and communication exercises as part of their contingency measures to address threats to peace and order during the SONA.

“Inaasahan na natin ang pagkakaroon ng mga kilos protesta sa araw na ito kung kaya’t nakahanda na tayo para sa pagpapanatili ng kaayusan at seguridad. Mahigpit din nating ipatutupad ang maximum tolerance at pagsunod sa Police Operational Procedures, lalong-lalo na ang pagpapahalaga sa karapatang-pantao ng lahat ng makikilahok sa araw na ito,” he said.

The official said that from 12:01 a.m. until midnight of July 24, they will be fully enforcing a gun ban in Metro Manila with the decision of Acorda to suspend all Permit-to-Carry-Firearms-Outside-of-Residence issued to licensed gun-holders on that day.

He said that they will be getting help from the different NCR-based PNP National Support Units and the Aviation Security Group. Others will be from the PNP Special Action Force, Joint Task Force NCR, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Office of Civil Defense, Department of Health, Metro Manila Development Authority and Philippine Red Cross.

The NCRPO chief said they will be particularly tightening their security in and around the Batasan Pambansa complex and the 31 border control points inside and outside Metro Manila.

Okubo said that their Civil Disturbance Management contingents will be deployed to keep peace and order and enforce the law in the area, specifically in so-called Freedom Parks where would-be protesters are allowed to air their grievances provided it is within the bounds of the law.

The PNP chief said that Okubo will be leading the SONA security outside the Batasan Pambansa complex and other parts of Metro Manila.

PNP Deputy Chief for Operations, Lieutenant Gen. Michael John F. Dubria will be the overall supervisor of the Task Force SONA.