Batasan Complex under lockdown
Among the key political figures who have confirmed their attendance were former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, as well as former president Joseph Estrada.
The Batasang Pambansa Complex has been placed under full lockdown as a security measure for the first State of the Nation Address (SoNA) of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., a House official said on Friday.
House Secretary-General Llandro Mendoza, in a television interview, said it’s “all systems go” for the historic event.
“We’re all systems go in Batasan. The lockdown was enforced at the House last night (21 July), so now, we are only working on more security preparations,” Mendoza said.
During the lockdown, the Presidential Security Group (PSG) will be conducting a K-9 security sweep of all congressional offices.
All of the offices will be sealed until 25 July.
Mendoza said of the 1,360 guests invited to the SoNA, 90 percent have so far confirmed their attendance.
Among the key political figures who have confirmed their attendance were former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, as well as former president Joseph Estrada.
Meanwhile, former president Rodrigo Duterte and former vice president Leni Robredo have yet to respond to the invitation.
All guests and congressional staff are required to present their negative RT-PCR Covid-19 test results before entering the Batasang Pambansa Complex and must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
The opening of the Third Regular Session of the 19th Congress will be at 10 a.m., followed by Marcos’ “simple and traditional” SoNA at 4 p.m. during a joint session by the House and the Senate.
Backpacks, big bags, canned beverages, bottled water and firearms are prohibited inside the Plenary Hall.
Security forces
At least a security force of 21,000 will be deployed on Monday, according to the National Capital Region Office (NCRPO).
Some 16,964 policemen will come from NCRPO, 1,905 from the Philippine National Police (PNP) support units, and 2,974 from coordinating agencies. They are tasked to maintain peace and order in the area and ensure the smooth flow of traffic.
A gun ban was also imposed in Metro Manila from 22 to 27 July.
Maj. Gen. Valeriano de Leon, PNP director for operations, said more checkpoints would be set up at Metro Manila borders, especially in Quezon City, where the Batasang Pambansa is located.
Protesters, meanwhile, are allowed to hold mass gatherings in designated freedom parks: Quezon Memorial Circle on Elliptical Road and inside the Commission on Human Rights compound and the University of the Philippines campus, both in Diliman, Quezon City.
In a related development, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on Friday said that it will enforce limited and no fly zones at the House of Representative in Batasan Complex and its immediate vicinity from 23 to 25 July 2022.
The CAAP has already issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) B2088/22 as an advisory for the said event.
From 23 July 2022, from 2 to 5 p.m., to 25 July 2022, 1 to 7 p.m., all unauthorized aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles within a five nautical mile radius from the surface of Batasan Pambansa in Quezon City will be temporarily restricted.
CAAP said that all training flights of flying schools within Luzon are also suspended from 23 July 2022, from 2 to 5 p.m., to 25 July 2022, from 1 to 7 p.m.
The NOTAM also expects a delay in arrivals and departures at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport due to the restrictions of the event.