AFP: Ready to secure Marcos, dignitaries on SONA 2024

Despite monitoring no threats, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Sunday it is prepared to ensure the security of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. during his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.

AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Padilla said they are ready to provide additional troops to augment security for SONA 2024, alongside the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“Sa side ng Armed Forces of the Philippines, handang-handa na kami. Kami ay humahalinhin sa iba’t ibang roles that we will be playing in this,” Padilla said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview.

(On the side of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, we are ready. We will be playing different roles in this event.)

“We’re also ready to perform our mandate in securing the President and our dignitaries for this upcoming SONA,” she added.

Even as the SONA is set to be delivered at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City, Padilla said the AFP will still continue to monitor peace and order in areas outside of Metro Manila.

Last Monday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said there were no threats monitored so far to the conduct of Marcos’ third SONA.

The PNP made the remark following the statement of Vice President Sara Duterte that she will not attend the event and that she would appoint herself as “the designated survivor.”

In the United States, a "designated survivor" is someone who is assigned to succeed the presidency and kept away while the nation's leaders are gathered.

In the Netflix series “Designated Survivor,” the US President is delivering his State of the Union address at the Capitol when bombs suddenly go off and destroy the entire venue, killing the President and all public officials in the line of succession. The designated survivor is a cabinet secretary who is elevated as head of state.

Around 22,000 police personnel will be deployed to secure the SONA, according to the PNP.

A gun ban is also currently in effect in the National Capital Region (NCR), which started on Saturday, July 20, and will end at midnight on Monday, July 22.

Marcos earlier instructed the House of Representatives to accommodate everyone who wants to attend the SONA.

With the seating capacity of the session hall limited to 2,000, the House of Representatives said it will add seats and open several function rooms to accommodate additional guests.

As part of the security measures, the Batasang Pambansa has been on lockdown since Saturday, up to Tuesday, July 23. —RF, GMA Integrated News