PNP eyes jamming mobile phones during Bongbong Marcos inauguration

The National Museum of Fine Arts. Photo from www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Wednesday it is planning to jam mobile phone signals during the inauguration of President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. at the National Museum in Manila on June 30.

PNP Director for Operations Maj. Gen. Valeriano De Leon said the PNP considers jamming mobile phones near the areas of the National Museum as part of the security measures for the inauguration.

“Sa ngayon, we consider that as one of the actions pero sa ngayon, I will not finalize it,” he said in a public briefing.

De Leon added that the PNP has yet to finalize additional security measures as it will discuss these further with the Presidential Security Group.

In the meantime, De Leon said the PNP is enforcing a very strict screening process for the general public who plan to attend the inauguration.

The PNP said it is expecting at least 30,000 people to watch the inauguration at the Intramuros viewing area.

De Leon said the declaration of a non-working holiday in Manila also helped the PNP implement the security regulations for the event.

“Nakikipag-ugnayan na rin po kami sa iba’t ibang mga City dito sa ka-Maynilaan para mag declare din ng dalawang [araw] na holiday para maibsan ng konti ang mga trapiko dahil we are implementing a very wide rerouting scheme para mabigyan-daan ang mga gustong manood dito sa ating historic oath-taking of President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr.,” he said.

(We are also coordinating with other Metro Manila cities to declare two days off to ease traffic due to our efforts to reroute traffic to enable those who want to watch Marcos take his oath.)

Manila declared June 29 and 30 non-working holidays, while San Juan City declared June 30 a non-working holiday to give way to Marcos’ inauguration. – Christine Annie Asistio, INQUIRER.net intern

/MUF/abc