By NG Seruela
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is on alert to ensure peace and order in President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s last State of the Nation Address (SONA).
In today’s (July 26) Laging Handa public briefing, PNP Chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar said more than 15,000 personnel were deployed to ensure peace and order a few hours before the President’s last SONA. Some 11,800 of them are PNP personnel while others are force multipliers.
“Ito po ay 15,000, kasama na po ang force multipliers natin. Around 11,800 ang ating mga police, mainly from NCRPO,” he said.
He added that the majority of the deployed personnel are at the Batasan Complex, particularly along Commonwealth Avenue to maintain order for Duterte’s SONA in the afternoon.
The PNP chief reported no security threats were recorded as the last SONA of the President comes close.
“Wala po tayong natatanggap na banta sa seguridad [ngayong SONA], pero ang mga pulis po kasi ay talagang naghahanda para sa iba’t-ibang sitwasyon,” Eleazar said.
In relation to this, Eleazar assured that no arrests of rallyists will be made if they adhere to the guidelines that they themselves and the Quezon City local government have set, as well as the minimum health protocols.
“Wala po tayong hulihan kung susunod sila sa patakaran na sila mismo ang naglatag. Ngayon, kung ‘di sila susunod, ang bilin ng ating Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Año ay may reason po para ipatigil ang kanilang program. At maaari na magkaroon po ng pag-warning or caution, or kung talagang sila ay mag-i-insist na gawin ang hindi napagkasunduan, doon na po tayo papasok para sa dispersal,” he said.
He emphasized that arrests are the “last resort” if the groups persist in disobeying the guidelines. – jlo
