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Advocates Philippines
Security Plans Being Prepared For PBBM's Second SONA—Acorda
Photo credit: PGEN Benjamin Acorda / FB
Quezon City, Philippines—In anticipation of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s second State of the Nation Address (SONA) scheduled for July, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has initiated the development of a comprehensive security plan, according to PNP Chief General Benjamin Acorda Jr.
General Acorda stated that the PNP is gathering and analyzing available intelligence reports from various law enforcement agencies to evaluate potential security threats during the event. The aim is to ensure a peaceful and orderly atmosphere during the President's address.
"Preparations on the ground are in full swing to ensure that the staging of this event will be peaceful and orderly. We are thoroughly assessing all information relevant to security matters," Acorda affirmed.
The security measures will encompass various possible scenarios, including contingency plans formulated by the PNP, both within and outside the Batasan Pambansa Complex in Quezon City, where President Marcos will deliver his address to Congress members.
The exact number of PNP personnel to be deployed at the SONA venue and other strategic locations across Metro Manila is still being finalized, Acorda noted. He further assured the public that the PNP will make maximum use of all available resources to guarantee the event's smooth proceedings.
Regarding the right to protest, Acorda emphasized that demonstrators will not be prevented from staging rallies during the President's SONA. However, he clarified that protest actions should take place only in designated freedom parks, in accordance with the law.
During the SONA, the PNP intends to exercise "maximum tolerance" in handling demonstrators, according to Acorda. He expressed the PNP's intention to engage with representatives of all groups planning to hold protest rallies during the event, hoping to reach a consensus that allows them to exercise their freedom of peaceful assembly and expression while maintaining necessary security measures.
General Acorda stated that the PNP is gathering and analyzing available intelligence reports from various law enforcement agencies to evaluate potential security threats during the event. The aim is to ensure a peaceful and orderly atmosphere during the President's address.
"Preparations on the ground are in full swing to ensure that the staging of this event will be peaceful and orderly. We are thoroughly assessing all information relevant to security matters," Acorda affirmed.
The security measures will encompass various possible scenarios, including contingency plans formulated by the PNP, both within and outside the Batasan Pambansa Complex in Quezon City, where President Marcos will deliver his address to Congress members.
The exact number of PNP personnel to be deployed at the SONA venue and other strategic locations across Metro Manila is still being finalized, Acorda noted. He further assured the public that the PNP will make maximum use of all available resources to guarantee the event's smooth proceedings.
Regarding the right to protest, Acorda emphasized that demonstrators will not be prevented from staging rallies during the President's SONA. However, he clarified that protest actions should take place only in designated freedom parks, in accordance with the law.
During the SONA, the PNP intends to exercise "maximum tolerance" in handling demonstrators, according to Acorda. He expressed the PNP's intention to engage with representatives of all groups planning to hold protest rallies during the event, hoping to reach a consensus that allows them to exercise their freedom of peaceful assembly and expression while maintaining necessary security measures.
May 30, 2023
