THE Philippine National Police (PNP) will be fielding almost 12,000 policemen to ensure the peaceful and orderly conduct of the fourth State of the Nation Address (Sona) of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
In a press conference, PNP spokesperson Brigadier General Jean Fajardo said during a command conference on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, PNP chief General Nicolas Torre III has ordered the reactivation of the Task Force (TF) Manila Shield, which will lead the security operations during the said event on July 28.
She said the TF will tap each police district in the National Capital Region to intensify their respective safety and security measures to ensure the maintenance of peace and order before, during and after the Sona.
The Central Luzon Police Office and the Calabarzon Police Office are also part of the task force as augmentation forces, should the need arise.
Fajardo said the PNP leadership is also in close coordination with the House of Representatives to implement security protocols within its vicinity, where Marcos will deliver his Sona.
She said they have yet to receive any application for a permit to rally related to the Sona.
“Normally, yan ang ating ini-implement na no permit,no rally policy, kasi may freedom park naman po, nandyan ang Quezon City Circle. Normally, alam na yan na ang anti-government rallyist ay nasa UP (University of the Philippines) Diliman area and then magmamartsa po sila,” Farjardo said.
(Normally, we implement the 'no permit, no rally' policy because there is a designated freedom park—like the Quezon City Circle. Usually, it's understood that anti-government rallyists gather at the UP Diliman area and then march from there.)
“Pero definitely, katulad ng ginagawa natin, ay hanggang doon lamang sila sa Tandang Sora papayagan na magsagawa ng kanilang programa,” she added.
(But definitely, just like what we've done before, they will only be allowed to hold their program up to the Tandang Sora area.)
Fajardo said the National Capital Region Police Office was also tasked to conduct an “honest to goodness” threat assessment related to the Sona.
She said the raising of alert level will be at the discretion of the ground commanders. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)