by GDM Staff

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Maj. Gen. Felipe Natividad on Thursday committed to intensifying security and safety during the inauguration of President-elect Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos at the National Museum of the Philippines on June 30. 

Natividad made the statement after DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya revealed that former cadres of the CPP-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) are planning to disrupt and discredit the incoming administration.

"We in NCRPO berate this attempt of the leftist organizations to taint the peace and order in the incoming inauguration. We will provide all the necessary security and safety operations to ensure the successful conduct of the said occasion," Natividad said. 

15, 213 personnel will be deployed to the event. 

The list will include staff from the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region (JTF-NCR,  PCG (Philippine Coast Guard), the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and the Department of Health (DOH).

They will also deploy force multipliers in different areas during the inauguration, and a good contingent shall be on standby should the need arises. Natividad also ordered intensified police visibility and patrol operations around the National Museum.

For his part,  Maj. Gen. Valeriano de Leon, PNP director for operations, said the PNP is now coordinating with MMDA and the city government of Manila for the traffic rerouting in the vicinity of the National Museum as part of the security measures. 

As discussed during the top-level security meeting on Wednesday, the traffic rerouting will take effect starting at 12:01 on June 26, Sunday. 

"We are aware that the roads in this area are very busy." "That is why we are constantly coordinating with the MMDA and the Manila City LGU to come up with the best rerouting plan to ease the inconvenience on the part of the motorists and the commuting public," De Leon said in a separate statement.

 "We appeal for understanding. This is a very significant event that needs to be secured as we are going to witness another milestone in our history as a nation," he added.

De Leon said they would release the traffic rerouting plan that includes alternate roads that motorists could take for them to have enough time to plan their travel. 

With just a week left before the inauguration rites, PNP officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao said their security preparations are nearly complete, and De Leon is tasked with supervising the security. 

"We are ready. Almost all systems go especially that our Directorate for Operations is really supervising the whole operation and the whole deployment of our troops," said Danao.

Danao said final security preparations have been laid down and finalized to ensure success and zero casualty and any untoward incident.

"We would like to assure our incoming president that on behalf of the 225,000 officers and men of the PNP, our forces are ready for the inauguration of the incoming president. We will assure you that the PNP will give its best to secure the safety of our visitors, especially the first family," Danao noted.

 De Leon is also leading the coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Coast Guard to maximize the security for the June 30 event. 

 "We cover every inch of the area, whether it is by land, air, or sea. We are also constantly reviewing our security plan to ensure that even minor details will not be missed," said De Leon.

De Leon also reminded the public about the implementation of the gun ban in Metro Manila that will take effect from June 27 until July 2. 

 "Also part of our preparations is on-the-spot security adjustments for any eventuality. And this includes contingency for those who wanted to disrupt the activity," said De Leon. 

While protest actions are allowed in "freedom parks" without permits, Danao said they would not let protesters go near the venues for rallies or such to prevent untoward incidents. (Glen Jacob Jose)