OUTGOING Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso has declared June 30, 2022 as special non-working holiday in the country’s capital for the inauguration of President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Domagoso has issued Executive Order 53 for the declaration of a special non-working holiday to ensure the safety, security and protection of those who will participate in the said event.
“The City Government of Manila, in coordination with the concerned agencies of the national government, has to close various thoroughfares in and around the perimeter of the inaugural venue, which will undeniably affect the flow of traffic of both motorists and the riding public,” the EO reads.
“It is but fitting and proper that all citizens of the country, in general, and residents of the City of Manila, in particular, be given full opportunity to witness and welcome this significant event in the life of the nation,” it added.
Marcos, the 17th elected President of the country, will take his oath at the National Museum of the Philippines in Manila on June 30, at 12 p.m.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) earlier said that all is set for the conduct of security preparations, including the deployment of over 15,000 policemen, during Marcos’ inauguration.
PNP director for operations Major General Valeriano de Leon said Task Force Manila Shield will be activated on June 28 to ensure maximum security for the constitutional and historic oath taking of the next highest official in the country.
He said checkpoints will be established in all the entry points of the City of Manila for three straight days, starting on June 28.
The strict implementation of the gun ban will also start on June 27 in the entire National Capital Region.
"All vehicles entering the City of Manila will pass through checkpoints that will be set up in all entry points of the City. This is to prevent criminal elements and troublemakers the opportunity to strike before and during the inauguration of our next President," De Leon said in a statement sent to reporters on Friday, June 24.
He said police commanders in Metro Manila and adjacent provinces were also instructed to intensify intelligence-gathering that will focus on monitoring and preemptive strikes against threat groups amid reports that there are groups that are planning to sabotage the inauguration of Marcos.
De Leon said they will also see to it that any protest action is done in the proper places while respecting their rights to assemble and air their freedom of speech.
He said they are reaching out to various groups that are planning to hold protest actions to ensure that there will be no untoward incidents that happen.
"There will be freedom parks assigned to the protesters, so we appeal to them to go and stay on those freedom parks to prevent unnecessary confrontation with our CDM (Civil Disturbance Management) units," said De Leon.
"As instructed by our NP officer-in-charge Lieutenant General Vicente Danao Jr., we will exercise maximum tolerance but at the same time we will not allow them to create trouble, so I appeal to them anew to use the freedom parks designated for them to stage their protest," he added. (SunStar Philippines)