Manila: The Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO-6) will deploy more than 4,800 police personnel and force multipliers beginning July 26 to secure the region during President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s State of the Nation Address on Monday.
According to Philippines News Agency, PRO-6 Acting Regional Director Brig. Gen. Randulf Tua±o announced in a press conference that approximately 3,900 of those to be deployed are police personnel, while the remaining individuals are classified as force multipliers. The deployment aims to ensure the safety and security of the region during the high-profile event.
Tua±o emphasized that intelligence units are actively monitoring the security situation, and various police units have already been assigned their tasks in anticipation of potential rallies during the SONA. He noted that organizers are permitted to hold rallies in designated freedom parks without permits, although applications for demonstrations at other venues are still pending.
"As of now, we have not received any application. Nonetheless, PRO-6 is ready for the SONA," Tua±o stated, assuring the public of the preparedness of security forces.
In addition to the SONA preparations, Tua±o reported on a recently completed regionwide firearm accountability audit. The audit, which covered all police provincial offices and regional headquarters support units, identified 21 government-issued firearms that have not been returned by personnel separated from service.
Tua±o revealed that six cases have been filed concerning these unreturned firearms. Three former personnel have been issued demand letters, one case is undergoing the demand letter process, and the remaining cases are at various stages of validation, Board of Survey proceedings, recovery efforts, and other administrative and legal actions. "They are considered loose firearms," Tua±o noted.
He warned that personnel who fail to return government-issued firearms after receiving three demand letters will face charges of malversation of public property. The audit involved physical inspections and validation of government-issued firearms, reconciliation of inventory records, verification of supporting documents, and assessment of accountability measures to ensure compliance with existing laws, rules, and regulations.
