Cops deployed for Noy's SONA not allowed to carry guns

MANILA, Philippines - Policemen who will be deployed to maintain peace and order during Monday’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Aquino will not be allowed to carry their firearms.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Alan Purisima gave strict orders for members of the Civil Disturbance Management (CDM) team not to bring their service and sidearm with them when deployed on July 23, said Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr., spokesman of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Cerbo noted that based on the initial set up, Purisima will limit the anti-SONA protesters at the Ever Gotesco Mall along Commonwealth Avenue near Station 6 of the Quezon City Police District.

The move was based on the request of the parish priest of St. Peter Church to prevent rallyists from getting near the church to ensure solemnity in the area.

Just like the previous stand of the PNP, Cerbo said CDM members were instructed to observe maximum tolerance.

“Of course, it will be maximum tolerance but if there will be obvious violations of the law, we will enforce the law,” he said, adding that protesters will not be allowed to breach the point.

“The PNP Intelligence agents will continue to monitor. Still there is no indication of presence of groups which are planning to disrupt the SONA,” he added.

Earlier, PNP chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome said that everything is set for President Aquino’s SONA.

Bartolome said he personally checked on the preparations of the NCRPO and he was satisfied with the security set up.

“They will concentrate on the SONA, but they must also conduct patrol in areas outside SONA vicinity to make sure criminal elements would not be able to attack in other areas,” he said.

All hands on deck

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) will deploy 31 fire trucks and nine ambulances in specified areas as part of the security and support services during Monday’s SONA.

Chief Superintendent Santiago Laguna, BFP-National Capital Region chief, said the BFP’s role is to provide fire trucks and ambulances with personnel combined with inter-agency Task Force SONA 2012 to ensure the safety of the President, members of the Senate and the Lower House, ranking government officials as well as foreign dignitaries and observers during the opening of the 3rd joint regular session of the 15th Congress.

“The deployment of the BFP’s resources is part of our contingency plans for any eventualities that might occur during this significant activity,” Laguna said.

The BFP-NCR chief said although some fire trucks and ambulances will be stationed as part of the support group of other government agencies, the BFP will be maintaining a sufficient force at their respective districts, ready to respond to fire calls or other emergencies.

He noted that aside from 283 fire fighters, ambulances and paramedics will also be included in this deployment to assist and to render medical assistance or first aid in case of injuries, and will right away bring casualties if there be any to nearby hospitals.

Laguna reminded the public, particularly those who will be monitoring the SONA at home or even at their office, to be more cautious in order to prevent accidents caused by fires.

About 6,000 policemen will be tasked to compose the PNP Super Task Force to ensure order during the SONA of the President.

Authorities said 3,500 policemen will come from the NCRPO while the others will come from nearby police regional offices.