MANILA, Philippines鈥擳he Philippine National Police (PNP) has suspended all permits to carry firearms outside of residence in the National Capital Region (NCR) in time for President Rodrigo Duterte鈥檚 final State of the Nation Address on Monday (July 26).
In a PNP memo obtained by聽, the suspension will take effect starting at 8 a.m. on July 21 until 8 p.m. on July 28, 2021.
Only uniformed service personnel and law enforcers on official duty would be allowed to carry guns, according to the memo dated July 16 and signed by PNP Chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar.
鈥淭his is to ensure that the activity will be free from firearm-related incidents and to ensure the safety of the populace,鈥� it said, referring to Duterte鈥檚 last SONA.
Duterte will deliver his sixth and final SONA at the Batasang Pambansa.
The PNP said no threats had been monitored so far but it was 鈥渞eady to respond to any eventuality.鈥�
Around 15,000 police personnel would be deployed to secure the SONA.
NCR police will use body-worn cameras 鈥渢o help monitor the movements of suspicious persons who may be planning to disrupt the SONA,鈥� the PNP said.