AFP: Marine deployments in Senate part of routine security

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Tuesday that Marine deployments in key government and public areas, including the Senate, Malacañang Palace, and the Rizal Monument, are part of standard security operations and are not linked to any recent incident.

AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said troops are routinely assigned to provide perimeter security in various institutions as part of long-standing protocols.

“Yes, to confirm, we really have deployments to different areas, different institutions,” Padilla said in a briefing at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

“Over and above the Senate, we also have deployments in Malacañang Palace and even at the Rizal Monument,” she added.

Padilla said the practice has been in place for years and is part of the Marines’ security role.

The clarification came amid questions and circulating claims linking the security deployments to a possible scenario involving an International Criminal Court warrant against Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, including speculation about arrest and transport arrangements.

READ: Bato dela Rosa under Senate custody as ICC arrest looms

The AFP said its troop deployments are routine perimeter security duties and have no connection to any legal proceedings or enforcement actions, adding that such matters fall under civilian authorities and are not within the military’s mandate.

“The role of our Marines there is for perimeter security, so they do not enter the Senate or the interior of Malacañang Palace,” she said.

The spokesperson added that deployments may also be adjusted on a case-by-case basis upon request for assistance. /mcm