PNP to raise alert for INC event, Sona, Eid-al-Fitr

By: Julliane Love De Jesus - 10 years ago

Flags from all over the world flutter in the wind during the inauguration of the Philippine Arena, with a capacity of up to 55,000, is now the world’s largest indoor arena. Built within the 75 hectare Ciudad de Victoria in Bocaue Bulacan, it promises to be a one-stop multi-purpose complex for enterprise and tourism zone. MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

MANILA, Philippines—At least 7,000 security and civilian personnel will be fielded in Bulacan on Sunday to ensure peace and order during the centennial celebration of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC).

The event, which will be held at the newly built Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan is expected to draw two million INC members.

At least 3,200 policemen from the Central Luzon Police will be augmented with 1,500 Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) public safety legion and traffic personnel, 300 Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) men, and 2,000 force multipliers.

INC members and delegates from 112 countries will gather at the Philippine Arena, which was touted as the world’s largest domed indoor arena,” in Ciudad de Victoria, Bulacan.

With this, the Philippine National Police (PNP) will place all its units on heightened alert, anticipating three consecutive events, from the 100th year celebration of INC, President Benigno Aquino III’s State of the Nation Address (Sona) on July 28 and the Muslim Eid-al-Fitr festival.

Chief Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac, PNP Public Information Office chief, said in a statement on Tuesday that the heightened alert level would be activated at 3 p.m. on July 25, Friday.

“Police unit commanders are reminded to secure all vital installations, economic key points, as well as places of convergence, and ensure high state of operational readiness to deter unlawful activities,” Sindac said.

Meanwhile, Central Luzon and Calabarzon police, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and Special Action Forces (SAF) will be on full alert starting 5 a.m. on July 26, two days before the President’s annual Sona.

“Regional Directors of regional police offices are given the discretion to upgrade their alert level depending on the prevailing peace and order situation in their respective areas of responsibility,” the police official added.