Quezon city: The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Saturday confirmed that security preparations are in place for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, and three groups have been granted permits to stage protest rallies.
According to Philippines News Agency, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo announced in a radio interview that permits were issued to the militant group Bayan, which will hold a rally near St. Peter's Church on Commonwealth Avenue; Tindig Pilipinas, which requested space in White Plains; and a pro-administration group, permitted to gather near the Sandiganbayan building, also on Commonwealth Avenue.
'We are coordinating with them to ensure they police their own ranks and avoid any unnecessary friction,' Fajardo stated. She emphasized that the IBP Road would be off-limits to all rallies, regardless of affiliation, as part of the agreed security plan.
More than 12,000 police personnel will be deployed to secure the vicinity of the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City and surrounding areas. 'More or less, that would be the deployment unless, of course, we deem it necessary to add the deployment of our personnel over the prevailing security situation,' Fajardo added.
Full deployment is set to begin early Monday, with backup teams positioned across Metro Manila and other regions for anti-criminality operations and threat monitoring. The National Capital Region Police Office, led by Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin, has also ordered intensified checkpoint operations in coordination with the PNP Highway Patrol Group, the Land Transportation Office, and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) along with the Armed Forces will assist in security and traffic management. The MMDA's Mobile Command Center, equipped with CCTV monitors, will be stationed at the Batasan-Commonwealth junction, while its Communications and Command Center in Pasig will monitor rallies. Road-clearing operations will also be conducted near the SONA venue to ensure smooth traffic flow.
President Marcos Jr. is expected to report on his administration's accomplishments and outline priority legislation during his 4th SONA.
