MANILA – Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde on Tuesday commended all police commanders and personnel responsible for the peaceful conduct of the fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Rodrigo Duterte.
“Let me extend the gratitude and commendation of the national leadership to all PNP unit commanders who led the 14,000-strong PNP security contingent around the Batasang Pambansa Complex, as well as heads of other government agencies and LGUs involved in traffic management, emergency response and mobilization of force multipliers, who took part in yesterday’s security coverage for the SONA,” Albayalde told reporters on Tuesday during the press conference held at Camp Crame.
He also took note that all mass actions carried out by cause-oriented groups and some pro-government organizations ended peacefully with no major untoward incident reported in all areas of engagement.
“Let me also congratulate the leaders and organizers of these cause-oriented groups for keeping their word by coordinating all their actions with security personnel on the ground that resulted in smooth and uneventful outcome of activities,” the PNP chief said.
He said the PNP National Operations Center in Camp Crame reported generally peaceful and orderly situation throughout the country, especially along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City leading to the Batasang Pambansa Complex, which is the center of activities where an estimated peak of 5,000 to 6,000 participants converged in different points in Metro Manila.
“The peaceful and orderly SONA allowed our people to connect and sync thoughts with the national government through this annual review of achievements, statement of the present situation and announcement of future prospects for our country and people,” said Albayalde.
He added that across the country, similarly peaceful and orderly mass actions were held in some key cities across the country, likewise with no major untoward incident reported.
Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief, attributed the peaceful SONA to their security preparations and the participants of the different assemblies, who also did their part for the events to end peacefully.
“Teamwork and resolve speak for the resounding success of the 4th SONA of President Duterte, we are fortunate that our thorough security planning and its efficient execution turned out positively as planned and once again, we have shown the Filipino people and the President, that chaotic SONA events are a thing of the past, and that civility now prevails,” said Eleazar, who directly supervised and monitored the implementation of security coverage.
He also expressed his gratitude to all the personnel directly or indirectly involved, especially to the public -- supporters, stakeholders, and cause-oriented groups -- for keeping their promises in expressing their concerns and grievances peacefully.
“For this remarkable outcome, I convey my earnest gratitude to the Joint Task Force -- NCR Armed Forces of the Philippines, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, local government units as well as our force multipliers and other concerned agencies for the full support and cooperation to ensure a well secured SONA 2019,” said Eleazar.
“My gratitude also goes to the public who bore the brunt of the traffic inconvenience; as well as both the cause-oriented sector and the pro-Duterte supporters for keeping their promises in expressing their sentiments soberly and orderly. I wish to thank and commend the NCRPO officers and personnel, the Quezon City Police District, the Special Action Force, the Civil Disturbance Management contingents and the augmentation forces from Police Regional Office 3 and Police Regional Office 4-A, for a professional and impeccable performance of their respective roles,” the Metro Manila top cop added.
Eleazar also assured that the NCRPO will not rest on its laurels, but will always remain motivated, dedicated, and determined in intensifying the anti-criminality campaigns, war on drugs, and other security measures of the NCRPO.
Eleazar directed all district directors, chiefs of police, stations and field commanders to double their efforts in sustaining peace and order situation in their respective areas of responsibilities. (PNA)
