No backpacks, no fly zone at BBM inauguration
POLICE will strictly enforce a ‘no backpack policy’ during the June 30 inauguration of President-elect Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. at the National Museum in Metro Manila as part of the heavy security preparations during the event, National Capital Region Police Office director, Major General Felipe R. Natividad said on Sunday.
The official called on all people who will attend the inauguration and those coming near the area to avoid bringing backpacks during the event. He said that the “No Backpack Policy” in all VIP engagement areas in the area will be implemented to help security forces monitor potential threats to the occasion.
“To ensure success, zero casualties and prevent any untoward incidents in the upcoming inauguration, final security preparations have been planned and laid out. This is to guarantee that before, during and the aftermath of the inauguration will go smoothly,” said the official.
Philippine National Police Officer-in-Charge, Lieutenant General Vicente D. Danao Jr. has ordered the strict enforcement of the ‘no permit, no rally’ policy during the national event although he said that police are under orders to fully observe maximum tolerance in dealing with unruly demonstrators.
Natividad said PBBM’s inaugural will also be more challenging due to the continuing threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The official said that they will fully implement the government policy on the wearing of face mask during the event.
“Relative to this, the airspace within one kilometer radius of the National Museum will be declared as “no fly zone and drone flying zone” as well was all the ports and waterways will be secured to preempt any entry of threat groups,” he added.
The official said they are also enforcing a week-long gun ban in Manila and Pasay City in connection with the event as Danao has ordered the temporary suspension of all Permit-to-Carry-Firearms-Outside-of-Residence issued to licensed gun-holders in the country from 6 a.m. of June 27 to 6 a.m. of July 1.
Only members of the PNP, the Armed Forces and other law enforcement agencies wearing their prescribed uniform and performing official duties will be authorized to carry firearms during the weeklong gun ban.
The NCRPO will also implement a traffic rerouting scheme in the area as roads leading to and from the venue will be closed to the public, Natividad, also the overall commander of the police security during PBBM’s inauguration said.
As heavy traffic will be expected particularly in roads leading to and from the National Museum, the public has been advised to be aware of the following road closures in the following areas: stretch of P. Burgos Avenue from Taft Avenue to Roxas Boulevard; stretch of Finance Road from P. Burgos to Taft Avenue; stretch of TM Kalaw Avenue from Taft Avenue to Roxas Boulevard; stretch of Ma. Orosa Street from P. Burgos Avenue to TM Kalaw Avenue; stretch of Gen. Luna St. from P. Burgos Avenue to Muralla St.; stretch of C. V.ictoria St. from Taft Avenue to Muralla St.; and stretch of Ayala Blvd. from Gen Solano St to Taft Avenue.
Natividad said they have laid out a number of contingency plans focusing mainly on the security aspect in and out of the National Museum to protect the First Family and other top government officials, foreign dignitaries and other VIPs set to attend PBBM’s inagurual.
“We have not monitored any threat ahead but we are continuously coordinating with our member-agencies. Let me reiterate my plea to everyone to think of your safety as it is our ultimate concern. Kami po sa NCRPO ay ginagawa ang lahat upang masigurado na magiging matagumpay ang nalalapit na inagurasyon ng ating bagong Pangulo,” he added.
