The Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOrPPO) will deploy Civil Disturbance Management (CDM) teams and special reserve police officers to maintain peace and order across the province as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers his State-of-the-Nation Address on Monday, July 27.
NorPPO spokesperson Capt. Stephen Jaynard Polinar said police are closely monitoring groups expected to hold rallies, motorcades, and protest marches in Dumaguete City.
“We have already identified groups that may conduct rallies and possible venues such as the Freedom Park and the Pantawan People’s Park here,” Polinar said.
Polinar said CDM units and reserve personnel will be deployed a day before the SONA, pending the regional director of the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region declaring a red alert status.
The Provincial Mobile Force Companies (PMFCs) will field two CDM teams, each comprising about 20 police officers, along with personnel from the Reactionary Standby Support Force (RSSF), to provide additional security.
Despite the security preparations, Polinar expressed confidence that any assemblies would remain peaceful, citing previous demonstrations in the province that ended without incident as participants dispersed voluntarily.
Police operations during the SONA will primarily focus on Dumaguete City, though PMFC units stationed in the central and northern parts of Negros Oriental will remain on standby for immediate deployment if needed.
Polinar also reminded organizers that the law requires groups planning to hold protests in public spaces, including Freedom Park, to obtain the necessary permit from the local government unit.*PNA
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