DRILL. A Civil Disturbance Management team from the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office undergo a refresher course on Thursday (July 18, 2024). Police personnel are also conducting simulated exercises in anticipation of possible local protest actions during Monday's State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (Photo courtesy of NOPPO)
DUMAGUETE CITY – The Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) is gearing up to respond to possible protest actions at the local level during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday.
Lt. Stephen Polinar, NOPPO spokesperson, said Thursday simulation exercises are held alongside refresher training for Civil Disturbance Management units.
“This is just a drill, a refresher for our police units and at the same time a precautionary measure for possible scenarios such as lightning rallies and street protests against the Marcos administration during the SONA,” Polinar said.
These special units will be on standby alert at the NOPPO headquarters for immediate deployment when necessary, he said.
He said some activities during the first half of the year where security was necessary and immediate deployment was made, such as a peace rally by a group that invited former President Rodrigo Duterte as the guest speaker, the LGBTQ culmination activities, religious processions, and cultural festivals.
While all activities were generally peaceful, Polinar noted the need to prepare for a worst-case scenario, adding that the New People’s Army (NPA) is also a force to reckon with and that NOPPO is coordinating with their counterparts from the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
The intelligence community is constantly monitoring the local scenario and so far has not come across any information about possible anti-SONA protest actions, Polinar said. (PNA)
