PNP Headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City. (Photo from the PNP Facebook page)
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police is in the final stages of its security preparations for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s second State of the National Address (Sona) on July 24.
Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr., chief of the PNP, on Monday said police officials have already conducted a series of meetings to make sure that “all things are considered” for the Sona preparations.
Acorda said they would deploy 23,000 police personnel and force multipliers as part of initial plans, but this could still be altered depending on the intelligence reports gathered.
“As of now, this is the safest estimate,” he said.
No security threat that may disrupt the president’s address has been monitored so far by the PNP.
“Nevertheless, our preparation is anchored on the saying that we should always expect for the worst and hope for the best … There is also a downtrend in crime rates as we see in statistics so we hope this would go on until the Sona,” he said.
Protesters will be allowed to hold mass actions in designated areas.