Cellphone signals in QC to be temporarily suspended for SONA

Mobile services will be temporarily suspended in select areas in Quezon City on Monday, in line with the security protocol for the third State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Rodrigo Duterte.

According to Globe Telecom Inc., customers in Batasan Complex, Commonwealth Avenue, and Culiat in Quezon City will temporarily be unable to call, text, or use mobile data from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

"The NTC directive was issued upon request of the Presidential Security Group, to temporarily cut off all network services during President Rodrigo Duterte's scheduled 2018 State of the Nation Address," it said.

This was mirrored by Smart Communications Inc. who said it will temporarily suspend services from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

"In compliance with the order from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), there will be a temporary loss of mobile telecom services in Quezon City and neighboring areas during the State of the Nation Adress (SONA) of President Duterte today from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.," it said in an advisory sent via text message.

According to Smart, areas nearby Quezon City could also be affected by the temporary suspension.

"Please note that, based on previous experience such as the Papal Visit in 2015, this security measure may also affect services in areas that are at some distance from the Batasang Pambansa Complex, such as parts of Rizal and other areas of Metro Manila," it said.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. last week said Duterte's speech will stick to the theme "change is coming," the campaign slogan used by the administration during the 2016 elections. — RSJ, GMA News