NCRPO to mobilize 21,581 personnel for SONA 

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Wednesday said it would deploy 21,581 personnel to secure the second State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City on July 24, according to a report by Philippine News Agency.

NCRPO chief Gen. Edgar Alan Okubo, who will be the "commander on the ground", said of the 21,581 personnel, 17,121 will be coming from the five districts of NCRPO, 4,460 personnel coming from different government agencies like NCRPO Regional Support Units, Aviation Security Group, Special Action Force, Joint Task Force NCR, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Office of the Civil Defense, Department of Health, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, at Philippine Red Cross.

Okubo said that 4,405 personnel from Reactionary Standby Support Force, will serve as an augmentation/strike force that is ready to provide additional forces if needed.

He added that the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City where the SONA will be held will primarily be given attention for security while the 31 border control points will be set up in identified areas entering and exiting Metro Manila.

Okubo said that Civil Disturbance Management (CDM) contingents are also ready, if groups engage in non-peaceful protest actions in prohibited areas, to prevent any threat to public safety.

He added that the suspension to carry firearms outside of residence within the National Capital Region will be implemented from 12:01 a.m. on July 24 until 12 midnight of the same day.

"Ang pagtatalaga ng NCRPO ng inyong kapulisan para sa SONA 2023 ay naglalayong tiyakin ang kaligtasan at kapanatagan ng lahat ng nais makilahok sa araw na ito. Makakaasa ang ating mga kababayan na nirerespeto ng NCRPO ang inyong karapatang makapagbigay ng opinyon at saloobin. Nakasalalay sa inyong patuloy na pakikipagtulungan at pakikiisa ang pagkakaron ng matagumpay at mapayapang ikalawang SONA ng ating Pangulo (The NCRPO's deploying police force for SONA 2023 aims to ensure the safety and security of all those who want to participate on the event. Our citizens can hope that the NCRPO respects your right to express your opinion and it depends on your continued cooperation and solidarity in the present successful and peaceful second SONA of our President),” Okubo said in a statement.

The SONA is a constitutional obligation and yearly tradition where the President reports on the current situation of the country, unveils the government’s agenda for the coming year, and proposes to Congress certain legislative measures.

The 1987 Constitution fixed the date of the SONA “every year on the fourth Monday of July.” It also marks the start of a new regular session of Congress.