PHILIPPINE National Police Officer-in-Charge, Lieutenant General Vicente D. Danao Jr. has declared their 100 percent readiness to ensure peace and order in today’s historic 1stState-of-the-Nation-Address of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ R. Marcos Jr.

The top cop has appealed to the public to fully cooperate with all their security measures nationwide as PBBM makes his 1st address to the nation. The National Capital Region Police Office ( NCRPO) headed by Major Gen. Felipe R. Natividad is also strictly implementing a gun ban in Metro Manila since last Friday until Wednesday as part of the security preparations.

The airspace within one-kilometer radius of the Batasang Pambansa has been declared as “no fly zone and drone flying zone” as police have also secured all ports and waterways as part of their massive security preparations.

The public has also been advised to take alternate routes as roads leading to and from the Batasang Pambansa will be closed.

Danao said he has instructed. Natividad to use all their available manpower and resources to secure the SONA as he and the NCRPO chief called on the citizenry, specifically leaders of perennial protest groups to strictly adhere to the set of rules and guidelines drawn to keep peace and order during the event.

The PNP is getting support from the Armed Forces, Local Government Units, the Metro Manila Development Authority, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire Protection and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology as well as their force multipliers, volunteer groups and other concerned agencies to maintain order during the occasion. At least 22,148 ‘allied forces’ will help secure the metropolis today.

Danao has ordered the temporary suspension of all Permits-to-Carry-Firearms-Outside-of-Residence issued to licensed gunholders in Metro Manila as well as a metro-wide gunban to prevent the proliferation of firearms and other deadly weapons that could be used to commit violence during the SONA.

The PNP has also called on the public, specifically those joining protest rallies to be responsible enough in adhering to minimum health safety protocols specifically the wearing of face masks and observance of physical distancing with the continuing rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in the country.

Natividad also clarified that the NCRPO will not hinder the holding of protests, mass gatherings and the right of the people to air out their grievances to the government during the event. However, he said that all should follow the ‘no permit, no rally’ policy.

The official likewise maintained that they will fully observe maximum tolerance in dealing with protesters even as he clarified there is ‘no overkill’ when it comes to security and public safety.

“ It is the primary call of the PNP to secure everyone including elected officials, more so if it is the highest leader of the land,” the NCRPO chief said even as he maintained that all other police units and stations in the metropolis will continue their regular functions.

Natividad earlier reminded cause-oriented groups expected to launch protest rallies today o secure permits from the local government prior to demonstrating since they will be strictly enforcing a ‘No Permit, No Rally’ policy in Metro Manila.

However, the official said that NCRPO Civil Disturbance Management personnel will be present to impose crowd control for those who will violate the policy with highest form of respect to human rights.

At the same time, the NCRPO chief reminded protesters to be wary of the threat posed by the COVID-19 virus as he called on them to keep wearing face masks and observe other minimum health safety protocols to protect them and their families when they return home.

“Minimum health standard protocols especially the mandatory wearing of face masks and social distancing must be observed strictly or if possible, refrain from mass gatherings,” he said.

CLARIFIES CLAIMS BY PROTEST GROUPS

Natividad also said they are not preventing the public from exercising their freedom of expression although their paramount concern is to ensure peace and order under the new normal.

“I would just like to correct that NCRPO will not hinder the holding of protests, mass gatherings and the right of the people to air out their grievances to the government provided they are in a right place, right time and in a right way. In fact, we guarantee that we will uphold and protect this rights vested upon our people and we will even be there to ensure the safety and security of those who will participate in their program,” he said.

“This however is not without reservation. The organizers and leaders of these protests must ensure that their programs are conducted in accordance with law. Freedom parks are the best option for them for want of further requirements but if they wanted to go beyond the area covered by such, they must secure the necessary permit from the Local Government Unit,” he added.

Last week, Q.C. Department of Public Order and Safety head, retired Brigadier Gen. Elmo DG San Diego said that based on the recommendation of the Q.C. Police District headed by Brig. Gen. Remus B. Medina, they have denied a request by BAYAN to use Batasan Road for their planned SONA activities.

San Diego said that Batasan Road is not a Freedom Park to hold protest rallies and mass gatherings and 2nd, such gathering will greatly affect the normal flow of traffic for motorists traversing the stretch of Batasan Road and Commonwealth Avenue.

However, the Q.C. government eventually allowed progressive groups to hold protest rallies along the eastbound lane of Commonwealth Avenue today following a meeting between Medina, San Diego and other concerned officials to discuss the appeal for reconsideration filed by BAYAN.

The militant groups will be allowed to conduct protest rallies, marches, and assemblies along Commonwealth Ave. (eastbound) up to the corner of Tandang Sora Ave. while PBBM and allied groups will be allowed to conduct their activities along Interim Batasan Pambansa (IBP) road near Sinagtala St. in Barangay Batasan Hills.

Natividad also defended the police force from charges by anti-government groups that it is preventing them from exercising their rights.

“We were just misquoted or shall we rightfully coin it as “malquoted” (maling pag quote) kasi maliwanag naman ang ating sinasabi palagi na it is not our call to dictate whether a place rather than a freedom park is fit to conduct rallies because this authority is vested only to the local government with jurisdiction to the place.

Besides, wala naman sigurong mayor na magbibigay ng permit para magsagawa ng rally sa gitna ng kalsada lalong lalo na along Commonwealth Avenue and other major thoroughfares.” To those desperate groups who capitalized on these issues it’s just a common sense to use sometimes,” he said.

Natividad said that recommendation was made to ensure the free flow of traffic for traveling motorists and commuters and uphold the security measures implemented to secure the President’s 1st SONA.

The official also fully agreed with the pronouncement of Lt. Gen. Danao that they will prohibit the burning of effigies or other combustible materials during rallies since it is just appropriate as the country’s environmental laws forbid it.

“”We never restrict the use of effigies during rallies but burning them can pollute our air and damage our environment. Kaya pag nagsunog na kayo ng effigies, mapipilitan kaming gamitin ang water canons to put off the fire that you have initiated,” Maj. Gen. Natividad said.

The official added that “we were again “malquoted” in reports that they will use water cannons against the rallyists. “ We never said this statement. Water sprays are used only as a resort to repeal aggressions from the rallyists, only if they become unruly para mawala ang init ng ulo nila,” he said.

Natividad appealed for full cooperation and understanding from the citizenry as they altogether work in unity towards progress and public safety.

“Sa ating mga kababayan, iwasan natin ang mga tao o grupong ito na pilit na pinipilipit ang katotohanan upang mapasama ang ating kapulisan at gobyerno. Panahon na upang magkaisa tayo at tulungan ang pagsulong ng gobyerno,” he said.