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PNP lays out security plan for PBBM’s 2nd SONA

June 6, 2023 Alfred P. Dalizon 224 views

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) headed by General Benjamin C. Acorda Jr. has started putting down a massive security plan to ensure a peaceful and orderly 2nd State-of-the-Nation-Address of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ R. Marcos Jr. at the Batasan Pambansa in Quezon City next month.

The top cop said the police will be fully exercising maximum tolerance in dealing with would-be SONA demonstrators but made an impassioned appeal to the protesters to respect the police and most importantly, refrain from throwing paint on officers.

“Ang appeal ko po sa mga rallyista eh observance of mutual respect. Nakikiusap po ako na irespeto din nila ang ating kapulisan lalo na yung mga mahilig sa paint-throwing. Please lang po, mahal po ang uniporme ng pulis, irespeto naman po natin sila,” Acorda said.

The PNP chief said the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) headed by Major Gen. Edgar Alan O. 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.

Acorda said they are continuing their monitoring of different threat groups but is not in favor of ‘overkill’ when it comes to the deployment of troops on the ground.

He added that police will continue enforcing the ‘No Permit, No Rally’ policy and will only allow protesters to air their grievances in designated Freedom Parks.
PNP Human Rights Affairs Office director, Brigadier Gen. Limuel E. Obon said that the PNP chief’s guidance is to ensure maximum tolerance and full observance of human rights during the President’s SONA.

“Guns are a no-no in the area. We will ensure na balance talaga sa gathering nay un and that human rights personnel will be there to monitor the situation and remind everybody, both the police and the protesters,” Brig. Gen. Obon said.

The PNP will be getting help from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine Coast Guard, Metro Manila Development Authority and local government units during the SONA security measures.

Okubo said they will be using the same security template during the major events NCRPO have secured in the past. The Presidential Security Group will be leading the security for the President and his Family and members of Congress and other visitors including foreign dignitaries.

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