At least 20,000 officers will be positioned across the capital when President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. addresses Congress on July 27, part of a security operation the Philippine National Police described Sunday as entering its concluding stretch.
PNP chief Police Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. confirmed that the blueprint governing the event is complete, with participating units now moving through the last round of preparations. Officers, he said, are in the “final phase of coordination, rehearsals, and deployment to ensure a safe, orderly, and peaceful event for everyone.”
The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Coast Guard will reinforce the police contingent. Beyond the uniformed presence, the PNP said it has kept in contact with cooperating agencies and local governments to keep both the security footprint and traffic flow running smoothly on the day of the address.
Because activist coalitions are anticipated to mount demonstrations while the President speaks, commanders were told to hold to maximum restraint, conduct themselves professionally, and honor the constitutional guarantees due every Filipino. Groups tied to the Duterte family have likewise mounted their own rallies over the past several months, adding to the roster of expected demonstrators.
Nartatez framed the operation as a balance between order and expression. “The PNP is fully prepared to secure the Sona while respecting the right of individuals and groups to peacefully express their views in accordance with the law,” he said.
This year’s address arrives with unresolved scrutiny hanging over the flood-control corruption inquiries that Marcos flagged during his 2025 Sona, the progress of which remains an open question heading into his fourth appearance before the legislature since taking office.
