CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga — The Police Regional Office 3 (PRO-3) has heightened its security measures in the entire Central Luzon in preparation for the 4th State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday.
Brig. Gen. Joel Napoleon Coronel, PRO-3 regional director, said intensified anti-criminality and focused police operations are being undertaken by all police units within the region to prevent any eventualities.
“I have also ordered for the intensified conduct of checkpoint operations, particularly along major thoroughfares to ensure the maintenance of peace and order during said event,” Coronel said.
He said that full alert status was raised Saturday and will remain in effect pending the outcome of the SONA.
He said although there is no monitored threat in the region as of the moment, all police personnel are directed to remain intact in their respective units since strict accounting of personnel is conducted even here at the regional headquarters.
Meanwhile, Coronel said that 462 police personnel for civil disturbance management operations were sent out as augmentation troops for SONA as part of the over-all security preparations of the Philippine National Police.
“Our personnel are reminded to observe 'maximum tolerance' and to ensure they respect the human rights of protesters as they are again expected to hold rallies when the President delivers his fourth SONA,” he said.
Aside from the augmentation troops, he said that Reactionary Standby Support composed of 350 police personnel from Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, and Zambales Police Provincial Offices as well as Angeles and Olongapo City Police Offices were also organized on stand-by in their respective units ready to be deployed on orders as the need arises.
Coronel added that he has ordered all the provincial and city police directors in the region to monitor any group in their respective areas that could launch mass protests. (PNA)
