No invite, no entry: Tight security at PICC for Duterte inaugural

Presidential security check guests’ invites at the PICC for incoming President Rodrigo Duterte’s inauguration on Thursday . FRANCES MANGOSING/INQUIRER.net

No invite, no entry.

Security was tight at the breakfast for the inaugural guests at the Philippine International Convention Center early Thursday, and guests without invitations were barred from entering.

Retired general Abraham Bagasin, one of the security officers of incoming President Rodrigo Duterte when he campaigned in Northern Luzon, temporarily could not enter the venue without the invitation.

“I’m waiting for the invite right now, it’s with my friend. I showed them the photo of the invite but it didn’t work,” he said.

Bagasin said he understood the tight security and it was okay for him that he was not allowed to get in right away.

Joseph Lim of Solid Group Corporation did not have his invitation with him, delaying his entry. He said he was representing his son David, and his invitation was still with Duterte’s staff.

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Those who did not have car passes were also not allowed to enter the PICC, and guests would have to walk about 300 meters from the gate to the reception venue.

Joseph Lim of Solid Group Corporation arrives at the PICC for the breakfast for guests to the inauguration of incoming President Rodrigo Duterte. FRANCES MANGOSING/INQUIRER.net

Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said some of the invitations were still with the Davao Committee.

“Kelangan ng invite talaga so kanina kasama ko ang head ng Davao Committee dahil siya magbibigay ng gate pass ng mga kaibigan ni President. So para sa nag eexpect ng invite konting pasensya,” he said.

(An invitation is required, so, earlier, I was with the Davao Committee head because he was the one handing out gate passes for the President’s friends. So for those expecting an invitation we ask for some patience.)

There were 637 guests expected and about 1,000 people were on the waiting list.

“Kung wala ng magba-back out mukhang wala ng chance yung nasa waiting list (If no one backs out, then there seems that there would be no chance for those in the waiting list to get in),” Andanar said.

After the breakfast, guests will be shuttled to Malacañang for the oath-taking of Duterte. CDG/rga

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