Latest news with #NCRPO
GMA Network
2 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
LIVE BLOG: SONA 2025
The giant national flag at the House of Representatives is hung up in the session hall again at the Batasan Complex on Thursday, July 17, 2025 after being washed and ironed ahead of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 28. TINA PANGANIBAN-PEREZ/GMA Integrated News President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. will give his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday afternoon, July 28, 2025. Marcos will deliver his SONA at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City with members of the 20th Congress in attendance, as well as government officials, the diplomatic corps, and others. The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority on Sunday said they have already made the necessary preparations for Monday's SONA. PNP chief General Nicolas Torre III said they are "hoping for the best and preparing for the worst." The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said 22,987 police personnel have been deployed to conduct security for the annual event. Of the total complement, 16,060 are cops assigned to the NCRPO. Support units from Region 4A of Police Regional Office 3 number 3,707 police officers while other agencies have contributed 3,220 personnel. All classes in public and private schools in Quezon City meanwhile were suspended while a liquor ban took effect on Monday in Quezon City at 12:01 a.m. and will last until 6 p.m. House Secretary General Reginald Velasco on Friday issued a memo for the austere holding of the SONA. "There will be no staged ceremonies, fashion coverage, or photo setups in the red carpet area," read the memo. "Members are respectfully urged to avoid ostentatious displays and exercise discretion in their wardrobe choices," it added. According to the memo, this is "in view of the recent calamities affecting several regions of the country." Below are the latest news and developments. Refresh this page for updates. —KG, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
3 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Torre: PNP 'hopes for best, prepares for worst' ahead of SONA 2025
Philippine National Police chief General Nicolas Torre III said they are 'hoping for the best and preparing for the worst' as security preparations continue ahead of the State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday. Torre made the statement after his charity boxing event in Manila where he was declared as winner by default, shortly before he headed to check on critical points of deployment to ensure the security for President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr.'s fourth SONA at the Batasang Pambasa in Quezon City. "After this, actually pupunta kami ng Baseco and then after we release the relief goods that we have, pupunta na kami sa areas kung saan ang critical points ng ating deployment sa SONA," Torre said. The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said more than 20,000 police personnel have been deployed as part of security measures for the annual event. When asked if the number of deployed cops for the SONA is overkill, Torre responded it is just part of their preparations. The NCRPO said nearly 23,000 police personnel will secure this year's SONA. "We always respect the opinion of other people. Naniniguro lang tayo, we always hope for the best but we are prepared for the worst," said Torre. (We are just making sure.) In a Super Radyo dzBB interview, NCRPO spokesperson Police Major Hazel Asilo also said they have been closely coordinating with the intelligence community as part of their SONA preparations. Meanwhile, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said it have traffic management and flood measures in place along Commonwealth Avenue for the SONA. — RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
3 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
PNP, MMDA: Ready for SONA 2025
The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said Sunday that they have made the necessary preparations for the fourth State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City on Monday, July 28. In an interview over Super Radyo dzBB, NCRPO spokesperson Police Major Hazel Asilo said they have been closely coordinating with the intelligence community. LIVE sa DZBB: PMaj. Hazel Asilo, chief, Public Information Office, NCRPO ????: 594 kHz AM band ????: ????: — DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) July 26, 2025 'Mahigpit po yung ating ginagawang koordinasyon sa ating intelligence community at sa pangunguna ng ating regional director ay wala po taying na-monitor na matinding banta na magko-cause po ng hindi maganda kumbaga sa araw ng SONA ng ating Pangulo,' she said. (We are closely coordinating with the intelligence community and through the leadership of our regional director (Police Brigadier General Anthony Aberin) we have not monitored any serious threats that would cause anything untoward the SONA of our President.) Regarding the planned protest actions that are a staple of any SONA, the NCRPO official said there are rallyists or groups that have been approved by the Quezon City local government but whose permits are subject to conditions to ensure their activities do not violate any laws and will be orderly. 'Pagdating po sa mga nagsabi na magkakaroon po sila ng kilos protesta, meron po tayong mga raliyista o mga grupo na inapprove na po ng local government yung mga kanila pong magiging rally bukas at kasabay po ng pag approve ng kanilang mga permits pero po tayong inilatag na mga kondisyon para naman po maging maayos yung kanilang pagsasagawa ng kanilang mga kilos protesta,' Asilo said. Asilo said both pro- and anti-government groups will only be allowed up to the St. Peter's Parish Church. She said the same location to assemble was done to be fair and not to show bias towards any group. The NCRPO said 22,987 police personnel have been deployed to conduct security for the annual event. Of the total complement, 16,600 are cops assigned to the NCRPO while support units from Region 4A of Police Regional Office 3 number 3,707 police officers while other agencies have contributed 3,2020 personnel. MMDA Meanwhile, MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said the MMDA has prepared to ensure that traffic and floods will not hinder the SONA. In a separate interview on Super Radyo dzBB, Artes said, 'Handang handa na po tayo. Mag iimplement po tayo ng counterflow or zipper lane as usual sa Commonwealth Avenue para mabigyan daan po ang mga dadalo ng SONA na guests such as foreign dignitaries makadaan po sa kabilang lane para hindi po maabala.' (We are very ready. We will implement a counterflow along Commonwealth Avenue to allow SONA visitors such as foreign dignitaries to pass through without delay.) To prevent possible flooding, the MMDA head said it has deployed temporary pumps that would quickly transfer water from the highway to a creek. It will also widen drainage inlets to allow more water to pass through. 'Naiayos na din natin po ang drainage inlet sa Commonwealth with the assistance of San Miguel Corp. Nilakihan po ang pasukan ng tubig para po mabilis makapunta sa drainage at mailabas papunta po sa creek sa kabilang side. Water coming from the IPP Road. During inspection, the one foot by one foot of what was formerly two meters by three meters. Can't say who was behind the reduction. Old images show there were formerly several inlets that have since disappeared,' he explained. Artes said when the MMDA talked to the latest contractor of the MRT-7, the company said they are the second contractor and that they do not know what happened that caused the missing inlets. The MMDA chief said the agency is not looking for someone to blame or making excuses but are instead looking for a workable solution. Artes said the solution the MMDA has come up with is to install two large inlets where water could pass through to the other side of the major thoroughfare to a creek. According to Artes, there is also a post blocking the drainage that has become a chokepoint for rainwater. As a temporary measure, the MMDA has deployed temporary pumps to redirect the water to the creek on the opposite side of the highway. Last Saturday, the agency said that aside from runoff water, the water level was manageable. 'Hopefully masustain namin whole year round tuwing may pag ulan ang ganitong programa and maayos po yung drainage para maiwasan po yung poste na naitayo.' he said. (Hopefully, we could sustain this program every time it rains and we fix the drainage to avoid the post that was constraucted.) The MMDA said the No Contract Apprehension Policy (NCAP) will be implemented along Commonwealth Avenue. — RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
16-07-2025
- GMA Network
Suspect linked to killing of House employee nabbed in QC—NCRPO
A suspect linked to the killing of an employee of the House of Representatives was arrested in Quezon City over illegal possession of firearms and explosives as well as falsification of identity, the National Capital Region Police Office said Wednesday. In a statement, the NCRPO said that on Tuesday, authorities arrested two suspects in an entrapment operation after receiving information from a concerned citizen. 'The male suspect, who was later found to be using falsified identification, is now being linked to a high-profile shooting incident involving the death of a top-ranking employee of the House of Representatives,' the NCRPO said. Confiscated from the male suspect were the following: a Colt MK-4 cal. 9mm pistol loaded with six live rounds an MK2 fragmentation hand grenade multiple fake IDs under the name 'Glenn Balbido Robredo' a security license driver's license Grab ID photographs showing him in security guard uniform. Meanwhile, recovered from the female suspect were the marked money used in the transaction, a white envelope, and several personal IDs. 'Authorities later confirmed that the firearm sold was the subject of the buy-bust and verified the male suspect's direct involvement in the fatal shooting, further emphasizing the severity of his criminal background,' the NCRPO said. The two were arrested after they failed to present legal documents for the seized firearm and grenade. The explosive was turned over to an explosive ordnance disposal unit for technical investigation. They are facing charges for violations of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act and the Revised Penal Code. 'Through solid intelligence work and determined field action, we were able to apprehend the suspects who posed a serious threat to public safety,' NCRPO chief Police Major General Anthony Aberin said. 'The arrest will also put into motion the wheel of justice for the murder victim and his family,' said PMGen Aberin,' he added. On June 17, Mauricio 'Morrie' Pulhin, chief of the Technical Staff of the House committee on ways and means, was shot while attending the birthday celebration of his daughter. He was brought to a hospital for treatment but later succumbed to his injuries. Persons of interest in Pulhin's killing have been identified, according to the police. A special investigation task group has been formed to focus on the case. —AOL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
01-07-2025
- GMA Network
7 Manila cops arrested for robbery-extortion
Seven personnel of the Manila Police District (MPD) were arrested after taking a man into custody under "fabricated" drug charges, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said on Tuesday. In a statement, the NCRPO said the arrested police officers were assigned to Police Station 5's anti-drug unit, including one lieutenant, three staff sergeants, and three patrolmen. 'The arrests were carried out following the swift validation of reports and complaints that exposed the involvement of the said personnel in illegal activities while in the performance of their duties,' the NCRPO said. 'Appropriate charges are now being filed against the individuals involved, who are currently under restrictive custody,' it added. Based on the initial investigation, a 49-year-old man reported that the police officers arrested him under fabricated drug charges on June 20. 'While in custody, the involved officers allegedly extorted P50,000 from the complainant's spouse in exchange for release. Although only P20,000 was eventually paid via mobile transfer, the complainant was freed without charges,' the NCRPO said. According to the NCRPO, the cops allegedly returned the money to dissuade the complainant from pushing his legal action. Recovered from the arrested cops were seven mobile phones used in the alleged extortion, five official police IDs, screenshots of digital transactions and conversations, and remittance records of the extorted amount. The NCRPO said the police officers allegedly committed robbery-extortion, grave threats, arbitrary detention, and violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act as well as obstruction of justice. 'Under the Chief PNP's core leadership pillar on police accountability, there will be no second chances for police scalawags,' NCRPO chief Police Major General Anthony Aberin said. 'NCRPO will not allow these criminals to taint the integrity and dedication of those who are doing good in the service. Rogue policemen will be arrested, detained, charged and remove from the service, based on due process of law,' he added. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
