6,000 cops, soldiers to secure SONA

MANILA, Philippines – At least 6,000 policemen and soldiers would be deployed to secure the House of Representatives building in Quezon City during the 8th State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Arroyo on July 28.

Metro Manila police chief Director Geary Barias said he already met with retired Major Gen. Horacio Lactao, sergeant-at-arms at the House to discuss security during the SONA.

Barias is also seeking a dialogue with leaders of militant groups to establish the ground rules for peaceful protest rallies outside the Batasang Pambansa complex.

He said the units would come from the Cordillera Region, Police Regional Offices 1, 2, 3, 4-A and 4-B, and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP). The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) would be deployed at the Batasan complex while the remaining half would secure other traditional rally sites like the Don Chino Roces Bridge (formerly Mendiola) in Manila and the EDSA Shrine in Mandaluyong City.

He said that under Task Force Kapayapaan, the House security personnel would secure the Batasan complex, while the police will guard its surroundings.

Barias said he and Quezon City Mayor Sonny Belmonte would meet with rally leaders to seek their cooperation to hold peaceful and orderly demonstrations.

“We will use the same templates we used in past protest rallies,” said Barias.

He assured rally leaders that they can air their grievances against the Arroyo administration but he warned “it must be done within the confines of the rule of law.”

The militant groups promised to gather at least 100,000 people to attend the SONA protest rally under the theme “Kagutuman at Kahirapan” but Senior Superintendent Edgardo Danao, intelligence chief of the National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) expressed doubts that they can muster that number of participants.

“The most the militant groups and its affiliates can mobilize during the SONA rally is at least 5,000 people,” said Danao.

Danao said the police had not received any intelligence report that terrorist would take advantage of the situation.

He said Task Force Manila Shield would be reactivated at least two days before the SONA.

Like in past protest rallies, Barias said the police would secure vital private and government installations like the Pandacan oil depot, Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and Light Railway Transit (LRT) stations and shopping malls and other commercial establishments.