THE Philippine National Police (PNP) will implement a 24-hour gun ban for the second State of the Nation Address (Sona) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
PNP Director for Operations chief Brigadier General Leo Francisco said the gun ban will be effective from 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. of July 24 in the National Capital Region, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) and Central Luzon.
He said the effectivity of all permits to carry firearms outside residence in the three regions are suspended during the period except for law enforcement officers.
“Yun lang ‘yung nakita natin na inapply natin para wala makapagdala ng firearms na malapit sa Batasan area sa Quezon City,” said Francisco when asked why the gun ban was shortened.
(That's all we saw that we applied so that no one can bring firearms near the Batasan area in Quezon City.)
During Marcos’ first Sona in 2022, the PNP implemented a six-day gun ban.
PNP Chief General Benjamin Acorda Jr. earlier said that there is no imminent threat monitored yet related to Sona but intelligence monitoring and threat assessment is continuous.
“But nevertheless our preparation is anchored ‘yung sinasabi naming na (on what we say) always expect for the worst and hope for the best,” he said.
Acorda said 23,000 policemen and force multipliers will be deployed to ensure the peace and order and security in the vicinity of the Batasang Pambansa during the Sona.
He said dialogue with progressive groups who are expected to stage protest actions during the Sona, as well as with the local government units particularly for traffic management is also ongoing. (SunStar Philippines)