By Shermel R. Carlos
The Olongapo City Police issued a public advisory enforcing e 24-hour gun ban starting Sunday afternoon as part of security measures for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s 2nd State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 24.
This is subsequent to the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) declaration of suspension of the Permit to Carry Firearms Outside Residence (PTCFOR) last July 12.
The ban is effective from 12:01 a.m. of July 24 to 12:00 a.m of July 25, and is enforced in National Capital Region (NCR), Region 3, and Region 4-A (CALABARZON).
PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo clarified the two regions’ inclusion, as areas being the nearest to Metro Manila where the SONA 2023 will be held.
Throughout the period, only the members of the PNP, AFP, and uniformed personnel of other law enforcement agencies working on official duty in relation to the event are permitted to carry firearms.
While they have yet to receive any actual reports of potential threats, Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. of PNP said their preparation “expects for the worst and hopes for the best,” confirming the deployment of an estimated 23,000 police officers for the event. FREEPORT INSIDER
