The Philippine National Police (PNP) has completed its contingency and operational plans for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 27, as security preparations move into full implementation.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said Tuesday that the police force is coordinating with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), local government units (LGUs), and other law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety of the venue, participants, nearby communities, and protesters during the event.
“This is in coordination with the different stakeholders, not only the PNP but as well as other law enforcement agencies,” Nartatez told reporters at Camp Crame.
He said security preparations include the deployment of needed response equipment and the continuous review of contingency measures based on threat assessments and new information gathered ahead of the event.
“We are securing not only the area, we are securing the activity as well as the personalities involved and/or magpa-participate dito sa SONA,” Nartatez said.
The PNP chief added that security measures will cover all groups expected to be present during the SONA, including protesters regardless of political affiliation.
The President’s address will be held at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City on July 27.
Aside from physical security measures, the PNP has also placed its cybersecurity operations on heightened alert ahead of the SONA due to possible cyberattacks, misinformation campaigns, and online scams.
Nartatez directed the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group to intensify cyber patrols to monitor and address possible digital threats, including misinformation, coordinated influence operations, phishing attempts, and scams targeting the public.
“Our primary concerns are cyberattacks against critical information infrastructure, the spread of misinformation and coordinated influence operations, and online scams that exploit public interest in the SONA,” Nartatez said.
He said the PNP is coordinating with partner agencies to monitor the online environment and respond to possible cyber threats before, during, and after the President’s address.
The PNP earlier issued a cybersecurity advisory identifying three priority areas for SONA 2026: protecting critical information infrastructure, countering misinformation and influence operations, and preventing online scams and social engineering attacks.
The advisory aims to protect government digital systems, maintain the integrity of information, and shield the public from cyber threats linked to the national event.
INC anniversary event
Meanwhile, Nartatez said the PNP will coordinate with the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) for its 112th founding anniversary celebration, which will coincide with the President’s SONA.
The police chief said the gathering will also require security preparations due to the expected large number of attendees.
“Malaking gathering din yun. We need to secure that gathering,” Nartatez said.
He added that the PNP will coordinate with INC officials regarding the venue and security arrangements, noting that the event could draw tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of participants.
The INC central office and a common protest venue for SONA-related activities are both located along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City, where security operations are expected to be closely coordinated.
Nartatez said security plans are already in place for key locations, including the Batasang Pambansa, Malacañang Palace, Liwasang Bonifacio, the United States Embassy in Manila, the Senate in Pasay City, and the People Power Monument in Quezon City.
Photo courtesy of SONA
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