The Senate has tightened security measures after the National Bureau of Investigation relayed intelligence information on a possible threat to the institution, Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian said Tuesday.
Gatchalian said NBI Director Melvin Matibag informed officials during Monday’s Blue Ribbon consultative meeting that there was a potential threat to the Senate building and its premises.
“During the Blue Ribbon consultative meeting yesterday, NBI Director Melvin Matibag informed the sectors present that there is a potential threat to the Senate building and the Senate premises,” Gatchalian said in a Viber message to the media.
He said the safety of senators, employees, and other personnel remains “paramount,” prompting the Senate to adjust its security protocols.
In an interview with radio dzRH, Gatchalian said the Senate is coordinating with law enforcement and intelligence agencies to obtain more details.
“Ayon sa NBI, meron kami. Hindi ko lang ma-disclose pero meron mga intelligence na pinasa sa atin at sa mga senador na rin ang NBI na merong banta na puwedeng mangyari sa Senado at kailangan po kami mag-adjust ng security efforts,” Gatchalian said.
“According to the NBI, there is a threat. I just cannot disclose it, but intelligence information was passed on by the NBI to me and to the senators. There is a threat that could affect the Senate, which is why we need to adjust our security efforts,” he added.
Gatchalian said he has met with the Senate executive committee and the Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms to discuss the necessary security adjustments.
“Hindi tayo puwedeng kampante. Dahil kung may ganyang intelligence information, dapat seryosohin,” he said.
“We cannot be complacent. If there is this kind of intelligence information, we have to take it seriously,” he added.
Sen. Vicente Sotto III also described the threat as a “clear and present danger” and said it should be treated seriously.
“Very serious, according to intell,” Sotto said in a Viber message, adding that it would be up to security officials to implement the appropriate measures.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson, meanwhile, said that based on “sketchy and raw” information, the “level of frustration within the armed services has reached up to battalion and regional levels.”
“They are closely monitoring the developments in the ongoing crisis at the national level brought about by numerous factors, both internal and external,” Lacson said.
Asked what may have triggered the frustration, Lacson cited the Senate and other national issues, including flood control, inflation, and oil prices.
Gatchalian said the Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms is reviewing security arrangements inside the Senate as part of efforts to protect senators, employees, and visitors.