PNP, AFP keep tight security in SurSur as SONA
draws near
By Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, July 26 (PIA) – Both
the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the 402nd Infantry Brigade of the
Philippine Army (PA) in Surigao del Sur have considered putting up tighter
security measures as time for the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of
President Benigno Aquino III on July 27 comes closer.
P/SSupt. Narciso Verdadero, PNP provincial
director here, said peace and order situation remains manageable and under
control, however, the need to keep calibrated measures to maintain such is
another thing.
He pointed out “militant groups here may also take
to the streets their protest,” agreeing that “it is the last SONA of the
president.”
However, Verdadero himself noted no known group
has applied yet and issued permit for that matter.
Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Randolph Rojas, executive
officer of the 402nd Brigade, confirmed that Col. Isidro Purisima, brigade
commander, has issued an order recently to prevent “any untoward incident” to
happen.
In line with this, the army officer said intense
“intelligence monitoring” has been undertaken to keep themselves ready for any
eventualities.
On the other hand, Rojas bared that “security
operations and community organizing for peace development (COPD) have
continued, including conduct of checkpoints.”
But like the police, the army here has yet to know
any group, who applied for a “permit to rally” in time for the SONA. (NGBT/Radyo
ng Bayan-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
