No destab threat on Arroyo’s SONA but security alert will be heightened

By Ronron
July 7, 2007

The Philippine National Police (PNP) yesterday expressed confidence that the scheduled State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on July 23 will proceed smoothly, without any disruption by feared destabilization plots of disgruntled members of the police and military.

However, PNP Directorate for Operations chief Director Wilfredo Garcia said the police will not let down its guard and will “most likely” still raise its alert level on that day to heightened status from normal.

“For the SONA this 23rd, yes, we are prepared for that already… We will be deploying Civil Disturbance Management (CDM) troops just in case there will be rallies,” Garcia said.

“We will also secure those who will participate the event like those from the diplomatic community,” he added.

Garcia said dialogues and coordination meetings among members the PNP and Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms of the House of Representatives have long started and are still currently being held to polish all security measures for the event.

This will Arroyo’s seventh SONA since she assumed power in January 2001 when as vice president, she took over the Presidency from then President Joseph Estrada who was ousted by a civilian-backed uprising over his alleged involvement in massive corruption and ill-governance.

Last year’s SONA, however, was marred with fears of an attack at the House of Representatives building in Quezon City following the arrest on July 7 of last year of six Magdalo officers and two civilian supporters at a subdivision nearby.

Authorities said the arrested soldiers, led by fugitive Army 1st Liuetenants Sonny Sarmiento, Nathaniel Rabonza and Patricio Bumidang, were planning to execute Operation Plan TRIDENT, a plot to takeover the Batasan Complex and conduct shame campaign against certain government officials.

“Our intelligence community is still monitoring if there will be plans (to destabilize the government) but as of now, we have not monitored any,” Garcia said when asked if there are similar plots for the upcoming SONA.

Garcia said elements of the National Capital Region Police Office will take a lead role in securing this year’s SONA, and they will be augmented by forces from nearby regional police offices./DMS