QUEZON CITY, (PIA) -- Starting Friday, July 22, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) will implement a gun ban in Metro Manila in preparation for the first State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. on July 25, 2022, at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City.

“We will continuously conduct dialogue and coordination meetings not only with our partners and counterparts but also with the community and civil society leaders to determine and address concerns in order to ultimately achieve a peaceful and safe State of the Nation Address of PBBM,” NCRPO chief Police Major General Felipe R. Natividad.

According to the NCRPO, the suspension to carry firearms outside of residence within Metro Manila will be effective from July 22 to July 27, 2022, Wednesday.

Metro Manila police personnel will conduct stricter inspections in the conduct of checkpoints, “Oplan Sita,” foot/mobile patrol, and other stringent police operations/interventions, especially on loose firearms.

Meanwhile, the NCRPO has also beefed up security with over 21,000 personnel and force multipliers tapped for deployment.

Road re-routing will also be implemented by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority in preparation for the SONA. (NCRPO/PIA-NCR)