MANILA, Philippines – Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian on Tuesday ordered heightened security measures on Senate premises following reports of a possible threat.
In the memorandum signed by Gatchalian, the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms was ordered to implement the following:
- Expanded screening and inspection procedures for all persons, vehicles, packages, deliveries, and equipment entering Senate premises
- Increased deployment of security personnel and additional security posts
- Intensified perimeter security and surveillance
- Continuous threat monitoring and vulnerability assessment
- Close coordination with law enforcement, intelligence, military, and emergency response units
Heightened security measures are only one of the four preventive safety protocols put in place.
READ: Intel reports cite threats to Senate, says Gatchalian
Gatchalian also ordered the Senate secretary to “ensure the protection and preservation of Senate records, legislative documents, information systems, and communications infrastructure.”
Additionally, the Office of Sergeant-at-Arms shall implement a “Temporary No-Visitor Policy.”
“Offices are encouraged to conduct meetings virtually whenever possible, and use telephone, email, or video conferencing platforms for external stakeholder engagements,” Gatchalian said.
The temporary policy will be in effect until the heightened security protocols are in place.
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Both the Senate secretary and sergeant-at-arms are also mandated to coordinate with Gatchalian’s office on “security developments, threat assessments, incidents affecting the Senate community’s safety and its operations and recommendations for additional protective measures.”
Earlier, Gatchalian ordered the implementation of a remote work set-up for Senate employees from Wednesday until Thursday. /mcm