PNP deploys 12,000 for Marcos' SONA security

Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III announced on Monday that around 12,000 personnel will be deployed for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 28.

The advance team will deploy on July 26, with full deployment taking place from July 27 until early hours of July 28 to ensure security and comfort during the event.

Torre reiterated that no specific threats have been monitored so far, emphasizing that weather conditions remain a primary concern as several areas in Luzon are experiencing heavy rains due to the southwest monsoon.

The PNP chief also said they will consult the Department of the Interior and Local Government regarding a gun ban and expressed hope that burning effigies would not occur during SONA due to environmental laws.

Groups like Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) criticized the deployment, arguing it is an overkill and a waste of public funds.

Torre advised those planning to burn effigies as part of protests to seek permission from local government units or appropriate agencies in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, stressing that such activities are arrestable under normal circumstances.