For Malacañang, the 6,000 members of the Philippine National Police (PNP)  securing the perimeters of the Batasan, in not an “overkill.” The palace believes so even as one of its  official described the preparation  as an essential factor for an  extensive security measure for President Aquino’s third State of the Nation Address (Sona).
Malacañang said  the security measure  seen as  twice extensive compared to last year, is  “just fit” for an event that would rarely see an assembly of top officials from all three branches of the government.
Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the Sona is an important and the only day  the President gets to set foot in Congress.
“Officials of the three branches of government are together. How can it not be taken with great importance?” Lacierda said in response to questions posed by palace reporters seeking description of Malacañang’s perception on the doubly strict security measure put in place by the PNP.
Lacierda said  the event is an occasion when the President, in his capacity as a public servant,  gets to report to his “Boss,” represented by the senators and the congressmen attending the July 23 bicameral assembly formally opening regular sessions.
He said this is also the only time the President visits the legislature and “as a representative of the people will report to other representatives of the people.”
The PNP, which went full alert as early as yesterday morning, designated 6,000 “unarmed” PNP men to strategic posts around the Batasan Complex in anticipation of “any eventuality.”
The PNP was  apparently referring to the swarming of militant protesters getting past the designated spots.
President Aquino, who is to deliver his third Sona before a joint session of Congress at the House of Representatives, would have at least 10,000 protesters greeting him in a manner seen by the government as most unwelcome.
Other than the PNP, the Bureau of Fire Protection has also been required to assist the police in maintaining order at the areas surrounding the Batasan Complex.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority for its part has announced traffic rerouting while the civil disturbance units of the  Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)  will be on standby.