MANILA – The government is ramping up its security measures to guarantee a peaceful and orderly State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on July 25.
The number of state forces and force multipliers has been increased from 15,000 to over 21,800 by the authorities to secure Marcos’ SONA.
For the event, they will guard the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City and at least 30 border control points along the metro using the same template during the inauguration of Marcos in Manila on June 30.
There will be 16,964 officers from the National Capital Region, 1,905 police support units, and 2,974 officers from other agencies and volunteer organizations.
They will be equipped with motorcycles, mobile cars, drones, ambulances, fire trucks, and body-worn cameras.
The cops are prepared to prevent and disperse protesting groups and anyone who endanger public safety and disrupt activity in restricted areas.
Only designated freedom parks, such as the Quezon City Memorial Circle, are allowed for protests. They may gather in certain areas if they obtain permits from the local government of Quezon City and adhere to the guidelines for a peaceful assembly.
Along Commonwealth Avenue, clearing operations will be conducted by the Quezon City Police District and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the main thoroughfare leading to the SONA venue.
The government is urging Quezon City residents to cooperate with the initiative.
The MMDA will also announce road rerouting plans so vehicles of SONA attendees can freely utilize portions of Commonwealth Avenue.
As part of the security measures for the President’s SONA, residents of Metro Manila are barred from using firearms outside their houses from July 22 to 27.
