PNP Clarifies No Gun Ban for Marcos' 5th SONA

MANILA, Philippines — No gun ban will be in effect on Monday, July 27, during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (Sona), the Philippine National Police (PNP) clarified. “The PNP has not issued any directive imposing a nationwide gun ban for the event. However, existing laws, local ordinances, and established security protocols remain in effect,” the agency said in a statement on Saturday. “As part of the security preparations for the Sona, police personnel will strictly enforce restrictions on the carrying of firearms and other deadly weapons in designated security areas and other locations where such restrictions are authorized,” it added. This came after the National Capital Region Police Office announced earlier this week that all permits to carry firearms outside residences will be suspended on Monday for the Sona. Over 21,000 law enforcers will be deployed for security measures for the Sona, the PNP previously said, noting that no threats had been monitored for the president’s annual address.