Tight security lid clamped on Metro Manila for President Aquino’s 2nd SONA

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police(PNP)  vowed on Thursday to “thwart all possible threats” to President Benigno Aquino III’s second State of the Nation Address (SONA).

The PNP set up Task Force ‘Kapayapaan’ which will spearhead efforts to ensure that the President’s second SONA on July 25 at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Batasan Hills, Quezon City, will be “safe, secure and successful,” said PNP Chief Director General Raul Bacalzo.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Chief Superintendent Alan Purisima was assigned as task force commander of  ‘Kapayapaan’. His marching orders from General Bacalzo includes raising police visibility during President Aquino’s address to the joint chambers  of the Philippine Senate  and Congress.

Various units of the police force will support the NCRPO such as the national support units (NSU), and the  national headquarters of the PNP, PNP directorial staff, and police offices in regions 1, 2, 3, 4A, and 5.

Some 1,500 Civil Disturbance Management officers have likewise been mobilized for deployment, aside from the NCRPO, AFP and Presidential Security Group.

The PNP said the task force will establish checkpoints in all major thoroughfares in the metropolis. The police will also conduct mobile and foot patrols.

“The  SONA will coincide with the opening of the 2nd Regular Session of the 15th Congress.” Bacalzo said. Consequently,   more police officers have been deployed by the PNP to secure the streets in the metropolis as part of the Police Integrated Patrol System (PIPS).

Checkpoints will also be beefed up several days prior to the SONA.  Bacalzo added that  the police will coordinate  with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and all other concerned government agencies.

Bacalzo urged the public to report any suspicious-looking persons in the city to police. “We ask the public for their continued support and cooperation.”

Karen Boncocan