4-layer security system in place at Batasan complex

A four-layer security system has been set up at the Batasan Pambansa complex in Quezon City, where President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is to deliver her ninth State of the Nation Address (SONA) Monday afternoon. Radio dzBB's Rowena Salvacion reported that under the system, the Presidential Security Group (PSG), in-house security, private security guards and the Philippine National Police (PNP) would team up to secure the Batasan. PSG officials have been "supervising" security arrangements at the area since last weekend. Mrs. Arroyo is to deliver her report on the state of the nation before a joint session of Congress at 4 p.m. As of Monday morning, K-9 units were deployed to the area to sniff out explosives. On the other hand, security guards at the Batasan complex screened vehicles entering the compound, asking the drivers to show their passes. Visitors were also searched for SONA accreditation identification cards.

Last Sunday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) was placed under the highest alert level. AFP information chief Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr. said the soldiers will serve as standby force to respond immediately to any untoward incident during the SONA. "If we are on red alert, the troops are intact, their attendance is 100-percent inside the camp," Brawner said, adding that military officials met with hundreds of soldiers at Camp Aquinaldo. He said that so far, the AFP has not received any intelligence report on any possible violent plot against Monday’s SONA. Metro security Last Saturday, the police said they would use video cameras as main 'weapons' and not firearms in dealing with rallies on Monday. Metro Manila police head Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales said in a dzBB radio interview Saturday that the video cameras will help them review any incident that may occur on SONA day. This will complement the closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems already in place, he said. Meanwhile, the Central Luzon police sent at least 500 personnel to Metro Manila to beef up security for the SONA. Rosales said the Commission on Human Rights will also send five teams of six members each, or 30 personnel, to monitor the SONA-related activities and to prevent possible human rights violations. Rosales said he saw no problems in the preparations for Mrs. Arroyo’s last SONA, adding that about 10,000 police personnel will be on standby in Metro Manila. He noted that rally organizers claimed they will mobilize some 25,000 protesters. - GMANews.TV