MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) has not monitored any threats regarding President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 22.
According to PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo, they have not received any intelligence report on any attempt to disrupt Marcos’ upcoming SONA.
“With respect po sa ating SONA, as we speak po, wala naman po tayong namo-monitor na anumang seryosong banta to disrupt po itong SONA,” Fajardo said.
Questions regarding SONA security surfaced after Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio said she was skipping the event and declared herself as the “designated survivor”.
As practiced by the United States government, a “designated survivor” is a government official chosen to stay at a secure location during events where top leaders of the nation are are gathered.
This ensures continuity of government in case a catastrophic event kills or incapacitates the president, vice president, and other top officials.
“With respect po doon sa statement ng ating Pangalawang Pangulo, we rather not comment at hayaan po natin siya mismo ang magpaliwanag siguro,” Fajardo said.
“Tanungin natin (ang Vice President) kung ano ang konteksto ng kanyang sinabi,” she added. “But the various government agencies are ready to secure the SONA.”
Asked if the security team really needed to have a “designated survivor” in events like SONA, Fajardo said: “Very clear po sa Constitution. ‘Yung succession in terms of death, resignation, (and) disability expressly provided sa ating Constitution. But sabi nga natin, ibigay po natin ang poder po na yan sa ating mga mambabatas,” she said./PN
