DAYS after Vice President Sara Duterte made the “designated survivor” remark for which she declined to attend President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s third State of the Nation Address (SONA), the Philippine National Police (PNP) expanded the gun ban in Metro Manila for three days, starting this weekend.
Aside from the gun ban, the three-day period also covers suspension of all permits to carry firearms outside of residence (PTCFOR) in the National Capital Region (NCR) as part of security measures in time for the President’s annual report on July 22.
In an advisory, the PNP’s PTCFOR Secretariat said the measure would be in effect from 12:01 a.m. on July 20 until 12:01 a.m. on July 23.
“This suspension is a precautionary measure to ensure public safety and security during the event,” the advisory read.
Earlier this week, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said they were in the final stage of security measures for the annual address, focusing in the vicinity of the Batasang Pambansa Complex as security inside the chamber is under the purview of the House of Representatives Office of the Sergeant at Arms and the Presidential Security Group.
The PNP mouthpiece however clarified that there is no threat on sight so far.
At least 22,000 police officers will secure the SONA, and 6,000 will be deployed near the Batasang Pambansa Complex where Marcos will deliver his address. (ANGEL F. JOSE)
