MANILA — More than 400 police personnel from Central Luzon will be sent to Manila to help augment security during the third State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Rodrigo Duterte on July 23, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Tuesday.
In a statement, PNP Public Information Office chief Senior Supt. Benigno Durana Jr. said the Police Regional Office 3 has been tasked to help ensure peace and order and public safety at Batasan, Quezon City and will field 410 PNP personnel for Civil Disturbance Management (CDM) operation.
The augmentation troops from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga and Tarlac Police Provincial Offices will be on stand-by and ready on call starting July 22, Durana said.
Two platoons and one Quick Reaction Team were also organized and will be deployed as the need arises.
PRO3 director Chief Supt. Amador V. Corpus said PRO3 routinely sends out augmentation troops during SONA and other national events as part of the over-all security preparations.
“Our personnel are reminded to observe “maximum tolerance” and to ensure they respect the human rights of protesters as they are again expected to hold rallies when the President delivers his 3rd SONA. I have also ordered for the intensified conduct of checkpoint operations particularly along major thoroughfares to ensure the maintenance of peace and order during said event,” Corpus said. (Benjamin Pulta/PNA)
