Metro Manila police on full alert for Sona 2024

MANILA, Philippines — The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) will be on full alert for the upcoming State of the Nation Address (Sona) of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday, July 22.

“[For now], we are on heightened alert such that on Sunday, we will be on full alert,” said Metro Manila police chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. in an ambush interview on Friday at the Quezon City Police District headquarters during the send-off ceremony of security personnel for the upcoming Sona.

However, Nartatez said they have not monitored any threats on the Sona so far.

The President delivers the Sona annually, usually every last Monday of July, to report the government’s achievements under his or her administration, unveil its agenda, and ask Congress to pass priority measures.

The official noted that more or less 2,000 VIPs like government officials and diplomats, among other dignitaries, will be at the lower chamber’s headquarters, while about 8,000 people are also expected to join the demonstrations during the Sona.

Nartatez said the total number of police and government security elements deployed to secure Sona is now at 23,000 after being augmented by another thousand personnel.

Of this number, Nartatez said 8,000 personnel will be assigned to Commonwealth Avenue and IBP Road, where pro-government and progressive groups are expected to hold their demonstrations.

A gun ban will only be enforced in Metro Manila starting Saturday, he said earlier.

READ: PNP: Metro Manila gun ban starts Saturday ahead of Sona 2024