NCRPO: Situation around Senate ‘under control’ despite reported tension

MANILA, Philippines — The situation around the Senate remained “under control” despite the reported tensions among protesters in the vicinity, according to the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).

“No untoward incident has been reported as of this reporting time,” NCRPO spokesperson Maj. Hazel Asilo said in a text message sent to reporters.

“The overall security situation within the vicinity of the Senate of the Philippines remains generally peaceful and under control,” she added.

READ: PNP calls for calm as Senate tensions simmer

Tensions in the Senate most recently escalated after the 11-member minority bloc led by Sen. Vicente “Tito” Sotto III was joined by Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Wednesday to oust Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano and declare all leadership positions vacant.

With the move, the Sotto-led bloc elected Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian as Senate president pro tempore and appointed new committee chairpersons, including Sen. Erwin Tulfo as the head of the Blue Ribbon Committee.

Nonetheless, on Thursday, the Cayetano-led bloc proceeded with its hearing on the flood control corruption scandal investigation.

During the proceedings, tensions outside the Senate also simmered as groups of rivalling protesters reportedly clashed along Diokno Boulevard.

In an earlier statement, the Philippine National Police said it was bolstering its presence around the Senate amid the protests and appealed for rallyists to “maintain sobriety.”

According to Asilo, the NCRPO deployed 2,331 personnel around the Senate for security. /jpv /atm