PNP activates task force for SONA

MANILA, Philippines — Two days before President Marcos delivers his third State of the Nation Address (SONA), the Philippine National Police (PNP) has activated Task Force Manila Shield, a comprehensive security measure meant to thwart attempts to disrupt major public events in Metro Manila.

Col. Jean Fajardo, PNP public information officer, said in a message on Viber yesterday that Manila Shield was implemented on Saturday midnight.

With the activation of Task Force Manila Shield, the PNP has initiated various security operations such as implementing checkpoints inside and outside Metro Manila, particularly in CALABARZON and Central Luzon.

“We will be conducting checkpoints and border control in those areas,” Fajardo said in Filipino over dzBB.

The PNP will also prepare its civil disturbance management teams and elite units such as the Special Action Force.

A three-day gun ban started yesterday and will last until Monday. Civilian gun owners are prohibited from bringing firearms outside of their residences.

Metro Manila police forces went on alert on Friday at 6 p.m. in preparation for the SONA, according to Fajardo.

At least 23,000 policemen will secure the SONA, with around 6,000 to be deployed at the Batasang Pambansa Complex and the stretch of Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City.

An additional 412 augmentation troops and 875 reactionary standby support personnel from the Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) will be on standby and on call starting today.

PRO3 Director Brig. Gen. Jose Hidalgo Jr. said the regional police force has been sending augmentation troops during SONA and other national events as part of the overall security preparations of the PNP.

Fajardo stressed activist groups who will hold rallies would not be allowed to go near St. Peter Parish as they requested.

The Quezon City government allowed the activist groups to hold a rally in front of Diliman Doctors Hospital along Commonwealth Avenue from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The area is near the corner of Tandang Sora Avenue, the area which the PNP has designated as a rally zone for activist groups.

Pro-government groups, on the other hand, can hold their program near the Sandiganbayan.

Fajardo stressed the need to have the two groups kept apart to prevent violence from occurring.

She also urged leaders of both groups to police their ranks to prevent lawless elements from infiltrating them.

Meanwhile, the Quezon City government has suspended classes in all levels on Monday for President Marcos’ SONA.

In an advisory, the city government said the conduct of Brigada Eskwela in public schools is also suspended.

The city will also implement a liquor ban from 12:01 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday “to ensure peace and order in the city during the SONA.” — Ramon Lazaro, Ric Sapnu, Janvic Mateo