No security threat so far vs. upcoming SONA —NCRPO chief

The National Capital Region Police Office has not received any security threats to the upcoming 3rd State of the Nation Address of President Rodrigo Duterte, the NCRPO chief said Saturday.

In an interview on Super Radyo dzBB, NCRPO director Chief Superintendent Guillermo Eleazar said security measures for the July 23 SONA are already in place, and that so far, they  have not received any threats.

LIVE sa DZBB: Panayam kay NCRPO Director Chief Supt. Guillermo Eleazar, kaugnay ng latag ng seguridad para sa SONA ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte.

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) July 13, 2018

Eleazar said that aside from police forces, his office is coordinating with other peace and order agencies to secure the event, adding that they are expecting some 300 military contingent from the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

But he said that some 8,500 personnel from the NCRPO, MMDA and Quezon City's Department of Public Order and Safety will help secure the coming SONA at the Batansang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City.

Eleazar: We will be deploying at least 7,000 uniformed personnel. It will be augmented by MMDA, meron silang at least 1,000 personnel and 500 naman from Dept. of Public Order and Safety of QC Local Government Unit.

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) July 13, 2018

"Maximum tolerance" is the order of the day, he said, referring to the various groups who want to express their sentiments -pro or anti -during the SONA.

Asked by dzBB's Francis Flores what Eleazar meant by "maximum tolerance" as ordered by President Duterte, he said, "definitely walang mga container vans na ihaharang sa Commonwealth Avenue at malapit sa Batasan,  no barbed wires as well."

"All groups who want to express their sentiments are free to do so, with or without permit to stage rally. But the policy on applying for permit stands," he pointed out.

Eleazar: May permit o wala sila (mga raliyista), by the guidance of our beloved president ay ia-allow natin sila but on the designated places lang na mapag-uusapan natin.

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) July 13, 2018

Meetings and consultations with stakeholders are being undertaken to ensure smooth conduct of the event.

He also appealed to groups of protesters as well as supporters to observe agreements during consultations to ensure peace and order, and to avoid violence.

"Malayang makapagpahayag ng saloobin ang sino man, basta walang gagawing karahasan. May mga designated areas ang mga lalahok sa mga pagkilos sa daan. Sana susundin ang mga pinagkasunduan upang hindi magkainitan," Eleazar said.

He also appealed to motorists to cooperate to avoid traffic jams. —LBG, GMA News