Metro Manila cops to go on full alert starting Sunday

Metro Manila police will go on full alert starting Sunday to ensure peace and order during President Benigno Aquino III's State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday. National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) head Chief Superintendent Alan Purisima said this security arrangement may last until Tuesday, if needed. "Hanggang Lunes ng gabi o kung kailangan, i-extend ng Martes (We will be on full alert until Monday night, or if needed, until Tuesday)," he said in an interview on dzBB radio Saturday. During full alert, he said he expects most, if not all, police personnel to be at their posts. An earlier report on dzBB said Purisima also ordered intelligence operatives to sniff out possible threats on Monday. He likewise appealed to protesters planning rallies on Monday to police their own ranks. So far, Purisima said the NCRPO has not received any report on possible threat from any group to Aquino when he delivers his second SONA before a joint session of Congress. Traffic rerouting arrangements have been made at the area near the Batasan Complex while classes up to high school level in Quezon City have been suspended for Monday. — LBG, GMA News