NCRPO: No terror threat during Rody’s SONA

There is no terrorist threat during the third State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Duterte on July 23, police yesterday said.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Chief Superintendent Guillermo Eleazar ordered all intelligence units to coordinate with their “assets” in the field to monitor activities of groups that may be planning to disrupt the SONA.

“We should not be caught with our pants down. Let us open our eyes and ears so we could be a step ahead of those who are out to embarrass the President,” Eleazar said.

He said the NCRPO intelligence division would also coordinate with their counterparts in the military to quash any attempt to sabotage the SONA.

The NCRPO chief ordered the conduct of checkpoint operations in all entry and exit points in Metro Manila to prevent any group from sneaking in firearms and explosives.

Eleazar is the task force commander for the SONA security. Chief Superintendent Joselito Esquivel, director of the Quezon City Police District, is the ground commander.

At least 6,000 anti-riot policemen will be deployed to secure the Batasang Pambansa Complex during the SONA.

Eleazar said he would consult today with Philippine National Police Directorate of Operations head Chief Superintendent Mao Aplasca on whether to allow militant and leftleaning groups to occupy KBP Road or move them back to Ever Gotesco along Commonwealth Avenue.

KBP Road is 100 meters away from the Batasang Pambansa Complex.

Eleazar directed Esquivel to prepare a re-routing scheme along Commonwealth Avenue in anticipation of heavy traffic due to the construction of the Metro Rail Transit Line 7 in the area.