Soldiers to assist cops in ensuring peace, order during Duterte's SONA
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will also be providing security and assistance to police personnel for President Rodrigo Duterte's fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City on Monday.
"We have troops that will be directly involved and there are support elements as well as reserves coming from the different major services of the AFP. The AFP particularly the Joint Task Force-NCR will be in support to the [Presidential Security Group], National Capital Region Police Office [NCRPO] and other law enforcement agencies," according to Public Information Office of the Joint Task Force-NCR.
"We monitored that the anti-government organizations will conduct [rallies] and demonstrations to agitate civil disorders [sic] in the area. But [rest assured] that the AFP is here to secure the people and state," the task force added.
The NCRPO has announced that it will be deploying 8,000 police officers as rallyists are expected to stage demonstrations on Monday.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) said that for this year, protesters will be allowed to come as close as 50 meters away from the Batasang Pambansa Complex South Gate.
Eleazar previously said around 15,000 rallyists are expected on Monday for Duterte's SONA. — Jamil Santos/MDM, GMA News