Thursday, July 23, 2015

PNP to deploy first mobile command post on SONA day

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 23): PNP to deploy first mobile command post on SONA day

To monitor any activities from threat groups that might jeopardize the peace and security during sixth and last State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Benigno Aquino III, the Philippine National Police (PNP) will deploy their first mobile advance command on Monday (July 27), according to PNP Public Information Office (PIO) Chief Police Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor on Thursday.

Mayor said with the mobile command post, PNP officials will be able to monitor the situation in the vicinity of the Batasan Complex where the SONA will be held.

”Ginawa ang mobile advance command post ng PNP and itong van na ito is intended for major events at ito nga madedeploy sa ating darating na SONA,” Mayor said, adding that National Capital Region Police Office ( NCRPO) officer-in-charge Chief Supt. Allen Bantolo, who is assigned as Task Force Commander, will personally monitor the situation in the area.

Representatives from the PNP Communication and Electronic Service will help in the technical aspect of the mobile advance command post.

PNP Communication and Electronic Service Deputy Chief Sr. Supt. Ramon Puruganan said the mobile command post has four small televisions and three big television sets that will serve as monitor of the cameras installed in the area.

The mobile command post has the ability to immediately transmit all datas or footage captured by the CCTV's to the national headquarters.

He said the mobile command post also have satellite phone with two-way radios inside for easy and fastest way of communication.

On the initial assessment, Puruganan said the 40-footer van mobile command post has a value of Php80,000.

”This is an advance emergency command post. Iba-iba ang tawag dito, 'nung una ito ay emergency event monitoring van tapos naging advance command post but kung ano man ang tawag dito this is basically a satellite command center that will help the operations of our troops sa ground level,” Purugganan noted.

He said the van was basically conceptualized "to help our operating units on the ground in whatever situation whether it is disaster, investigation, any event for that matter. It has the capability to provide communications for personnel and then also the cameras installed can transmit to the headquarters particularly in operations center."

”So we are equipped with PTZ cameras, fixed cameras, radios and of course computers to support our people. We have also satellite phones and this is also capable of teleconference. Pwede natin dalhin ito anywhere. Unang trial run nito ay sa SONA and we expect that this is in the vicinity of Congress in support of our people during the SONA,” he added.

Mayor said if the use of the said mobile command post is proven effective, DILG Secretary Mar Roxas promised to upgrade it to be used during big events in the country.

Mayor also said that based on previous statements of PNP Chief Director General Ricardo Marquez, they have already started the preparations of the security plan for the event, some three months ago and is nearing the finalization.

”We will deploy sufficient personnel na makakatugon sa pangangailangan ng sitwasyon to ensure peace and orderly activities sa SONA ng ating Pangulo. Para sa kapulisan, ang ating paninindigan is to ensure na maging maayos ang SONA ng ating Pangulo. Ito na rin pagkakataon para hilingin sa ating mamamayan ang kapulisan po ay andyan po para panatilihin ang katahimikan ng activity na ito at hinihiling natin na tayo naman po sana ay observe natin ang panuntunan at kung ano po ang nakasaad sa batas,” he told reporters.

Mayor said the PNP will observe maximum tolerance but if the rallyists intend chaos, the PNP will implement the full force of the law to protect the public.

He said protest rallies are banned within the two-kilometer zone of the House of Representatives when the President delivers the SONA.

Mayor said that NCRPO–OIC Chief Supt. Bantolo will be head of the Task-Force “Kapayapaan 2015” to secure the Batasan Complex as he directed concerned authorities to maintain maximum tolerance.

Mayor said that he can’t provide the details regarding the deployment because these area operational data.

The TF “Kapayapaan 2015” commander shall directly supervise the conduct of all coordination with concerned law enforcement agencies, security preparations and operations in Metro Manila.

The Task Force is basically a composite team of the entire NCRPO police force and all the police districts in Metro Manila including the augmentation forces coming from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

President Benigno Aquino III is set to deliver on Monday (July 27), his sixth and last SONA as his term ends in May next year.

Last year, around 7,000 protesters from various militant groups attended the anti-SONA rally in front of the Ever Gotesco Mall in Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City, according to the estimates of the PNP.

Around 10,000 government security forces were deployed for the occasion under a joint task force by the PNP, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

With government security forces in place, concrete barricades, steel railings, barbed wires and container vans were placed in strategic points in the protest area to prevent protesters from advancing to the House of Representatives.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=785592

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