Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian has ordered tighter security at the Senate following intelligence reports from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on possible threats to the chamber.
In an interview over DZRH on Tuesday, Gatchalian said the Senate is coordinating with the NBI and other intelligence agencies to ensure the safety of all 24 senators and around 2,000 Senate employees.
“Ang importante kasi ngayon ay kaayusan at proteksyon ng Senate premises. Importante rin yung kaayusan at proteksyon ng mga empleyado. Hindi lang natin pinoprotektahan isa o dalawang senador. Dalawampu’t apat na senador po ang pinoprotektahan natin at halos dalawang libong kawani (What is important now is order and protection of the Senate premises. The protection of employees is also important. We are not protecting only one or two senators. We are protecting 24 senators and almost 2,000 employees),” Gatchalian said.
He said the Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms has been directed to adjust security protocols in response to information relayed by law enforcement authorities.
Gatchalian declined to disclose specific details of the reported threats but said the Senate could not afford to be complacent.
“Ayon sa NBI, meron kaming intelligence na ipinasa sa atin at sa mga senador na merong banta na pwedeng mangyari sa Senado at kailangan po kami mag-adjust ng security efforts (According to the NBI, intelligence information was passed on to us and to the senators that there is a threat that could happen in the Senate and we need to adjust our security efforts),” he said.
He added that all threat information must be taken seriously to prevent harm to senators, employees, and visitors.
“Hindi tayo pwede maging kampante. Dahil kung may mga ganyang intelligence information, dapat ho seryosohin. At lahat ng banta ay dapat ho seryosohin (We cannot be complacent. If there is such intelligence information, it should be taken seriously. All threats must be taken seriously),” Gatchalian said.
The tightened security comes as the Senate continues to deal with a leadership dispute, preparations for the impeachment proceedings, and competing claims over committee activities, including the Blue Ribbon Committee inquiry into alleged flood control anomalies.
Gatchalian said order must be maintained inside the Senate while public work continues, especially amid the chamber’s response to the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck parts of Mindanao.
He said the Senate must be able to perform its functions while ensuring that the institution remains secure for lawmakers, employees, resource persons, and the public. (PNA)