The Philippine National Police (PNP) has intensified intelligence monitoring and security preparations to help ensure that the Senate impeachment trial for Vice President Sara Duterte will proceed in a peaceful, orderly and secure environment.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the organization has already directed its intelligence and operational units to closely monitor the security situation and conduct regular threat assessments ahead of the start of the trial on July 6.
“At this time, the PNP has not monitored any specific or credible threat directly related to the impeachment proceedings. Nevertheless, we are maintaining heightened monitoring and close coordination with our intelligence and operational units to promptly address any emerging concern,” Nartatez said in a press release on Monday.
The Senate earlier announced that the impeachment trial of Vice President Duterte would be open to the public and aired live.
In response, the PNP has begun reviewing security measures and contingency plans to maintain peace and order while safeguarding constitutional rights.
Nartatez said the PNP remains ready to provide security assistance once formally requested by the Senate.
“We have existing protocols for securing major government events and are prepared to coordinate closely with the Senate and other concerned agencies to ensure that the proceedings are conducted safely, peacefully, and without disruption,” he said.
As part of its operational preparations, the PNP has placed intelligence units on heightened monitoring for potential security threats, including possible extremist activities, public disturbances and misinformation campaigns that could incite violence.
Police commanders have also been instructed to conduct regular security assessments before every major hearing so deployments can be adjusted based on the prevailing threat environment.
“We encourage everyone to remain calm, respect the rule of law, and exercise their rights responsibly and peacefully. The PNP will remain impartial and committed to protecting both public safety and constitutional freedoms,” Nartatez said.
Meanwhile, PNP spokesperson Col. Allen Rae Co said the law enforcement agency would arrest Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa if he resurfaces anew for the impeachment trial.
“We are mandated to effect the arrest of Senator Bato. If he will be appearing therein, huhulihin siya ng ating kapulisan (our police force will arrest him),” Co told reporters when sought for a comment in a press briefing in Camp Crame.
He said the PNP will be “deploying an appropriate number of personnel” to ensure the peaceful conduct of the impeachment trial.
“We’ve also closely coordinated with the Senate and other concerned government agencies to ensure na walang magiging aberya (that there would be no disruptions.),” he added.
He added that some PNP Police Security and Protection Group personnel are already detailed with the Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms as part of their regular deployment. (PNA)