Provincial

1,500 CENTRAL LUZON COPS DEPLOYED FOR PBBM’S 5th SONA

admin July 27, 2026

BY KEVIN GALANG

CAMP OLIVAS, City of San Fernando, Pampanga — Some 1,500 police personnel from Central Luzon were deployed to Metro Manila to augment security operations for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.

According to the Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3), the augmentation force, composed of personnel from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 3 (RMFB3) and the Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac and Angeles City police offices, left Central Luzon Sunday night for designated security areas, staging points and rally sites across the National Capital Region.

The deployment is part of the Philippine National Police’s nationwide security preparations aimed at ensuring the peaceful, safe and orderly conduct of the President’s annual address.

PRO3 has also organized a Reactionary Standby Support Force of around 600 personnel from its regional headquarters and other provincial police offices.

The force will remain on standby in their respective units and may be deployed immediately if needed.

Despite sending additional personnel to Metro Manila, PRO3 said police units across Central Luzon will continue intensified anti-criminality and focused police operations, including checkpoint operations, along major thoroughfares.

According to PRO3 director Brig. Gen. Jess B. Mendez, the deployment forms part of the PNP’s comprehensive security plan under PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr..

Mendez said PRO3 personnel have been reminded to maintain professionalism and restraint while respecting the constitutional and human rights of individuals who will participate in lawful assemblies.

He said police personnel have been directed to exercise maximum tolerance and perform their duties with discipline and professionalism.

The Central Luzon top cop added that checkpoint operations would be intensified along major roads in the region throughout the SONA period to help maintain peace and order.

The entire PNP was placed under Full Alert Status beginning 5 p.m. on July 24 until 11:59 p.m. on July 27, ensuring the operational readiness of police units and adequate security coverage before, during and after the SONA.

The 2026 SONA is expected to draw large crowds, including supporters, protesters and various sectors holding rallies in Metro Manila, prompting authorities to heighten security preparations in the capital and surrounding areas.