Police surround Senate amid security threat

The Manila Times

Police surround Senate amid security threat

MANILA, Philippines — Members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) secured the outside premises of the Senate building in Pasay City, on Wednesday amid reports of an alleged threat on the chamber. The Senate on Tuesday made work-from-home arrangements for its employees today and Thursday to allow for inspections and other precautionary measures. Meanwhile, Senate employees should follow the majority bloc led by Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian as it has been duly recognized by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and other relevant institutions, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said. Gatchalian, who was elected by the new majority as Senate President Pro Tempore and acting Senate chief, said that he and the CSC have been coordinating "to ensure a smooth transition" of authority. Lacson said this CSC recognition enjoyed by the majority showed that the "orders" from the minority led by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano were "meant to sow confusion." The new 12-member majority bloc was formed after Sen. Francis Escudero abandoned Cayetano's group on June 3 that led to the Senate leadership reorganization. Cayetano, however, insisted that he remained Senate president and that the action of Gatchalian's group was illegal. "Maliwanag naman sa atin kung sinong kinikilala ng Malacanang, ng House of Representatives, ng Civil Service Commission, ng IBP, at kung ano-ano pa ang mga grupo, kung sinong kinikilala talaga na liderato sa Senate (It is clear whose leadership Malacanang, the House of Representatives, the Civil Service Commission and Integrated Bar of the Philippines and other groups recognize)," Lacson said in a radio interview. "So maliwanag na panggulo yung ginagawa ni Senator Alan, no, with all due respect, na nakaka-confuse, nakakagulo (It is clear that what Cayetano is doing, will all due respect, is meant to sow confusion)," Lacson said late Tuesday. He also said that Gatchalian already met with department heads and committee secretaries, and reminded them to follow only lawful and official orders, with assurances that the Senate leadership would protect them.

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