MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) is on full alert even as it assured the public that there are no monitored during President Rodrigo Duterte’s fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.
Still, PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde appealed to the public to remain vigilant.
“So far wala pa rin naman, hopefully walang magtake advantage dito as of this time, wala tayong nakukuhang threats but then again, we appeal to the public even the rallyists na kailangan tingnan din nila and maintain vigilance also [for possible threats],” Albayalde said from a command post along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City.
Albayalde also noted that they expect heavy traffic in Quezon City due to protests staged by militant groups.
“Ang pinakaproblema natin dito traffic yung mga militanteng grupo nagagalit yung ating mga motorista. Nagagalit kahit na kokonti lang sila. They are occupying the opposite lanes kaya nagkakaroon ng traffic congestion,” Albayalde said.
The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has been on full alert since Saturday in preparation for the President’s fourth Sona.
Intelligence officers deployed
Albayalde said intelligence officers have also been deployed to check on suspicious individuals.
“Merong [Intel officers] din tayo… para i-surveillance yung mga nagrarally. This is for their own personal protection. Remember yung mga militanteng grupo di rin naman nila alam kung sino kasama nila kung minsan. Yung iba, ibang tao na this is also for their protection,” the PNP chief said.
Albayalde added that he does not see the need to deploy more police officers in the in key locations since as over 14,000 have already been deployed in Metro Manila for this year’s Sona. /gsg