MANILA — With less than three weeks away, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has ironed out its security plan in time for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s third State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Batasan Complex in Quezon City on July 22.
According to NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Jose Melencio, in his capacity as head of the Task Force SONA, the over 22,000 police officers will be strategically deployed to secure the much anticipated President’s report on what has been done in the previous year and disclosure of what’s in store for the next 12 months.
Nartatez said that the bulk of the police force will be deployed in the vicinity of the Batasan Complex, where both the Senate and the House of Representatives will convene, marking the last part of the 19th Congress.
He also cited the need to secure other areas across the National Capital Region.
On top of the security, the Metro Manila top cop also hinted at deviating a significant number of policemen to respond for medical emergencies and other services via its modular help desks.
“We will not only provide security but also medical assistance and other forms of help to the public,” Nartatez said.
Out of the total 22,621 police personnel for deployment, 17,971 will come from the NCRPO, 1,879 from the Police Regional Offices of Central Luzon and Calabarzon, and 2,771 from other government agencies.
To prevent lapses in the past, Nartatez said NCRPO is conducting simulation exercises to ensure the effectiveness of their security measures on the ground.
Likewise, part of the plan is to secure Mendiola Bridge in Manila, the United States Embassy, and the Edsa Shrine, where rallies are expected to be held during the SONA.
“We are now preparing through the conduct of simulation exercises in order for us to have an idea of what would be the impact of our security measures on the ground,” Nartatez said. (JEG/PIA-NCR)
