House of Representatives. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The vicinity of the Batasang Pambansa complex in Quezon City is declared a no-fly zone on President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address (Sona), the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said on Friday.
NCRPO director Maj. Gen. Edgar Alan Okubo, in a statement, said that aircraft and drones are not allowed over the Batasang Pambans on July 24, when Marcos delivers his second Sona.
Gun ban
Okubo also reminded the public about the previously announced gun ban, which would start from 12:01 a.m. on July 24 until midnight.
“[…] Mula 12:01 a.m. ng July 24, 2023 hanggang 12:00 midnight ng July 24, 2023 ay suspendido muna ang lahat ng Permit to Carry Firearms Outside Residence (PTCFOR) sa buong Metro Manila. Gayundin ang pagpapatupad ng ‘No Fly Zone/No Drone Zone’ sa loob at karatig himpapawid ng Batasang Pambansa,” Okubo said.
(From 12:01 AM of July 24, 2023 to midnight of the same day, we are suspending all Permit to Carry Firearms Outside Residence (PTCFOR) in Metro Manila. Similarly, we will enforce a No Fly Zone/No Drone Zone within and near the airspace of the Batasang Pambansa.)
The second regular session of the 19th Congress will open by the morning of July 24, with the House of Representatives conducting the session in the Batasang Pambansa while the Senate opening it in the GSIS Building in Pasay City.
By afternoon, usually around 3:00 p.m., both chambers of Congress convene a joint session to hear the President’s Sona.
The NCRPO chief also said that they expect rallies to be conducted on the said day and assured participants that their rights would be protected and respected by the police.