Just hours before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III conducted a final inspection of security preparations around Commonwealth Avenue and the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City.

Torre expressed confidence in the police deployment and praised the setup of Mobile Command Centers by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), calling them critical tools for real-time monitoring of the area.

"I'm very happy with the deployment," Torre said in mixed Filipino and English during the inspection. 

"I’m just requesting that vehicles parked on the inner lanes of Commonwealth Avenue be removed and kept within designated boundaries,” he added. 

The PNP chief personally checked the mobile command posts, including those positioned near St. Peter’s Church and the Sandiganbayan, which provide surveillance coverage across Quezon City.

According to Torre, approximately 23,000 personnel have been mobilized to secure the SONA venue. This includes 16,000 police officers from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), Civil Disturbance Management units, and Police Regional Offices 3 and 4A. An additional 6,000 force multipliers have also been deployed.

Torre dismissed concerns that the large deployment amounted to “overkill,” emphasizing that the security measures are in place solely to protect the president and ensure public safety.

Officers on duty were seen wearing rain gear, he said is part of the PNP’s preparedness measures for all weather conditions.

Earlier in the day, some protest groups began their demonstrations, including the symbolic burning of effigies. 

Torre confirmed that such acts are allowed, affirming the PNP’s respect for freedom of expression. 

He also reiterated President Marcos’ directive to observe maximum tolerance toward demonstrators rallying in various parts of Quezon City.