FILE PHOTO: Philippine National Police
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday said that it would enforce a 24-hour gun ban in the National Capital Region and two other regions to ensure the safety of the public during the second State of the Nation Address (Sona) of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on July 24.
PNP spokesperson Police Col. Jean Fajardo told INQUIRER.net that the gun ban would be imposed in NCR and Regions 3 (Central Luzon) and 4A (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon).
“All Permits to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence shall be suspended for a period of one day in the National Capital Region, Regions 3 and 4A from 12:01 a.m. of July 24, 2023, to [midnight] of July 25, 2023,” Fajardo said in a Viber message.
“Only members of the PNP, AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines), and other law enforcement agencies who are performing official duties and wearing their agency-prescribed uniforms will be allowed to carry firearms,” she added.
Earlier, the police force revealed that its security plan for Sona is “almost 100 percent ready,” citing the regional director of the National Capital Region Police Office.
PNP also said that the security plan would cover contingency moves within Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City, where Marcos is set to deliver his address, as well as the deployment of about 23,000 police personnel.
In a separate statement, NCRPO said these police personnel would be posted in the venue and 31 border control points within Metro Manila.