PNP to impose gun ban in NCR for Marcos’ first SONA from July 22-July 27

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday said a gun ban will be imposed in Metro Manila from July 22 to July 27 to secure the first State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

PNP director for operations chief Police Major General Valeriano de Leon said that PNP officer-in-charge Lieutenant General Vicente Danao Jr. has  approved the gun ban.

“I just talked to our good officer-in-charge si Lieutenant General Vicente Danao and he verbally approved the conduct of suspension of permit to carry  firearms outside residence and that is three days before the SONA—and that is July 25—and two days after the SONA,” he told reporters in an interview.

The PNP earlier said 15,000 security personnel including police personnel, soldiers, and force multipliers from other government agencies will be deployed for the SONA on July 25.

A task force will be created for the security of the SONA. It will coordinate with other government agencies for traffic rerouting, handling of protesters, and other security issues.

The PNP designated freedom parks where protesters will be allowed to conduct their programs.

Police will exercise maximum tolerance with protesters to avoid unnecessary confrontation as directed by Danao, according to De Leon.

Earlier, House Secretary General Mark Llandro Mendoza said full capacity will be allowed at the Batasang Pambansa Complex for Marcos’ SONA amid the COVID-19 pandemic. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA News