PNP to deploy 6,000 cops for SONA

At least 6,000 police officers will be deployed for the upcoming State of the Nation Address of President Rodrigo Duterte at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City to provide security to rallyists as well as to supporters of the administration.

National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Guillermo Eleazar said meetings are now being conducted by the police force for President Duterte’s third SONA.

Eleazar said that there will be more than 6,000 police officers to be deployed to safeguard the Batasang Pambansa Complex where the SONA will be held on July 23.

“Based on the recommendation of the QCPD, 6,000 plus [policemen] will be deployed but we can always have augmentation coming from the neighboring police regional offices if needed,” Eleazar said.

Following the directive of the President, Eleazar said they will be exercising maximum tolerance during the SONA and the policemen will only be armed with shields.

However, there will be precautions and reserved forces who will not be interacting with the protesters.

“We deploy ourselves to protect not only the protesters but also our fellow policemen as well as other people who want to celebrate and join the SONA program,” the NCRPO chief said.

Meanwhile, Eleazar said that they are set to meet with leaders of various groups that will stage protests and programs for mobilization.

According to Eleazar, they have several options as to where the groups can hold their protest rallies or programs.

“The options are, first, the traditional deployment or along the Commonwealth Avenue near Ever Gotesco Mall which is what we have been doing for the past years. But just like in the past two SONAs, we will let them occupy the nearest, like 50 meters or 100 meters away from the Batasan Pambansa. We are considering the monstrous traffic congestion that it will create and also other considerations like the construction of MRT projects and other road rehabilitations,” he explained.

Eleazar also said that there has been no information on threats or terrorist attempts during the SONA but added they are constantly coordinating with concerned agencies and intelligence community.