PNP '100% ready' for Monday's SONA —Maranan

The Philippine National Police said Saturday that they are all set for the second State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Monday. 

"100% nang ready ang Pambansang Pulisya para i-secure at bigyan ng seguridad ang ikalawang SONA ng ating Pangulo," said PNP public information office chief Police Brigadier General Redrico Maranan in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

Maranan also said that they have not monitored any threats ahead of Marcos' second SONA. 

"Sa ngayon, wala pa tayong namo-monitor na seryosong banta sa SONA... Kahit wala tayong namo-monitor na seryosong banta, patuloy ang paglalatag natin ng security measures at patuloy ang pagkalap natin ng impormasyon sa paligid," Maranan said. 

The PNP is set to deploy over 22,000 cops in Metro Manila on Monday, according to Maranan. 

"Mahigit 22,000 na mga police at force multiplier ang ating ikakalat. Itong 22,000, hindi lang itong concentrated sa Batasan Complex. Ito ay sa kabuuan ng Metro Manila... Sine-secure rin natin ang mga vital installationm," explained Maranan. 

Maranan also said that drones will be deployed in the Batasan Complex during the SONA to ensure public safety and monitor possible threats. 

"Gagamitin 'yung ating mga drone sa area ng Batasan Complex. No fly zone ito dun sa mga unauthorized drone. 'Yung PNP at iba pang katuwang natin sa security ay gagamit ng drones. Ito ay awtorisado at pinapayagan," he said. 

"Ang main na tinitignan [ng mga drone] ay 'yung kabuuan ng Batasan Complex; mga kalsada; movement ng mga tao."

He also reiterated that the PNP will exercise maximum tolerance for protesters who will participate in the rallies.

On Tuesday, progressive group Bayan said the SONA protests will be bigger this year with thousands of protesters and 50 organizations expected to join.

In the morning of the SONA on July 24, different groups will gather in different areas to conduct their own programs before they merge in the Commonwealth-Tandang Sora area in Quezon City. 

A labor group will conduct a forum at a covered court in the Quezon Memorial Circle. A teachers’ group will hold a “zumba protest” to call for a salary increase.

Maranan, meanwhile, urged protesters to police their own ranks to avoid any untoward incidents. 

"Sinabihan natin sila (mga militanteng grupo) they should police their own ranks. Tignan din nila ang kanilang mga kasamahan at sumunod sa permit na ibinigay ng LGU," he said. 

"Ating i-o-observe ang maximum tolerance. 'Yung restraint ng security sector para hindi magkaroon ng collision against sa mga grupo [na magkikilos protesta] ay ating i-e-exercise, pero ang maximum tolerance ay may linya. 'Wag nating i-cross 'yung linya ng maximum tolerance na may paglabag sa mga umiiral na batas," Maranan added. 

"Kapag may paglabag na, papasok diyan ang PNP para magkaroon ng intervention," emphasized Maranan. —VAL, GMA Integrated News