MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police has created a task force that would oversee security measures for the upcoming State of the Nation Address of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on July 27, Director General Jesus Verzosa said on Friday.

Task Force Kapayapaan, he said, would be headed by Metro Manila police director Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales and would be tasked to create a Public Security Safety Plan to “provide enhanced security measures, civil disturbance management, traffic management and control as well as other related administrative and operational activities to ensure order and security when the President delivers her SONA [State of the Nation Address],” Verzosa said in a statement.

He added that police have opened the lines of communication with protesters and civil society groups to ensure peaceful mass actions during the President's speech.

Verzosa said the PNP has also coordinated with the respective security departments of the House of Representatives and the Senate, as well as the Presidential Security Group (PSG) for the safety of all government officials and other VIPs.