Extra security sought for Agnes

CEBU Gov. Hilario Davide III said he asked police to beef up security for Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale after learning of an election assassination plot against her.

“We knew about that plot. In fact, if you noticed during the campaign trail, she  (Magpale) had escorts following her around,” he said.

He said he made a verbal request again for security to outgoing PNP Regional Director Marcelo Garbo Jr. who visited him on Monday.

Magpale, meanwhile, said the police were still investigating the matter.

“They are doing everything they can to get to the mastermind,” she told reporters. At present, Magpale has one police escort. She said she was not used to having people tagging along but that Garbo insisted on giving her security during the campaign.

“If the police will add more escorts for me, I will accept them,” Magpale said in an interview.

Last Monday, Garbo confirmed for the first time in public that police had uncovered an assassination plot against Magpale which was supposed to be carried out 15 days before the May elections.

Magpale said she was given a copy of the sworn statement of the alleged hitman and had no idea about the danger until Garbo told her three weeks ago.

She said she wondered why additional police personnel were following her closely during the campaign especially during sorties in Bogo city in the north and Santander in the south.

“I did not have any idea before the elections although I wondered why the police followed me wherever I went when I was still acting governor. I thought Garbo was overacting,” she said.

During his Capitol visit last Monday, Garbo assured Magpale of her safety and protection. Correspondent Peter L. Romanillos