The National Bureau of Investigation has identified several individuals who may be behind a reported security threat against the Senate, with the information possibly linked to the controversy involving the so-called 18 “maleta boys,” Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian said Wednesday.
In a Zoom press conference, Gatchalian said the NBI had mentioned certain personalities but declined to identify them, citing ongoing validation and cross-checking with other government agencies.
“May mga personalities na-mention ang NBI, but ‘di ko muna sasabihin kasi we’re investigating, vina-validate, cross-referencing with other agencies,” Gatchalian said.
“According to the NBI, it might be connected to them. So out of abundance of caution, we have to take steps,” he added, referring to the 18 men who entered the Senate premises on Monday.
Gatchalian said NBI Director Melvin Matibag informed Sen. Erwin Tulfo during a lull in Monday’s Blue Ribbon Committee consultative meeting that an armed group may attempt to cause trouble at the Senate.
“What he said was there’s a possibility na may armed group ang manggugulo. Tinanong ako ni Sen. Erwin ano desisyon, I told him merong security beef up. Confident ako na safe ang building kaya itinuloy ang hearing that time,” Gatchalian said.
He clarified that the 18 “maleta boys” were not expected to be directly involved, but said the threat “might be connected” to them.
The reported threat prompted Gatchalian to order heightened security measures at the Senate, although he stressed that the chamber was not placed under lockdown.
He said the Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms had been directed to coordinate with intelligence agencies to validate the information received by the NBI.
“We are taking the intelligence information seriously because that is a direct threat to the Senate. That’s why we need to adjust our security protocols,” Gatchalian said.
He added that the Senate had also reached out to the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency for further information, especially with several mass actions expected on June 12.
“The context is there will be many mass actions on June 12. We have to be very cautious. We are taking all information seriously because the Senate may become a target,” he said.
Gatchalian also ordered a temporary work-from-home arrangement for Senate employees and staff while the threat is being assessed. Senators were likewise advised to work remotely, although those with official business would still be allowed to enter the Senate building.
He denied claims that the tighter security measures were meant to prevent the minority bloc from holding a Blue Ribbon Committee hearing scheduled for June 11.
“Si Sen. Erwin ang chairman ng Blue Ribbon Committee. Siya lang ang puwedeng magsabi kung may hearing o wala,” Gatchalian said.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson earlier warned that the 18 “maleta boys” could be used as part of a broader attempt to sow chaos amid tensions over the Senate leadership row, the investigation into alleged anomalies in flood control projects, and public frustration over high fuel prices.
In a radio interview Tuesday night, Lacson said one possible scenario was that individuals could provoke anti-government protesters holding daily demonstrations outside the Senate compound.
“This is a call to our Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to be discerning. Unscrupulous, power-hungry groups and destabilizers are out to take advantage of the confusion or the situation, and may seek to mislead some of our uniformed personnel,” Lacson said.
“I’m not saying our uniformed services are unprofessional, but in the middle of confusion, they may mistake unscrupulous groups for their allies,” he added.
Lacson said the 18 men, who entered the Senate on Monday while the Blue Ribbon Committee consultative meeting was ongoing, were wearing fatigue uniforms. He warned that such imagery could be used to mislead or draw sympathy from members of the uniformed services.
“For example, the 18 would appear and be cited in contempt and ordered arrested. It is possible that armed elements, not from the uniformed services, could create confusion and sow chaos, including a possible shooting. You can just imagine the chaos and anarchy, and this can trigger a destabilizing event,” Lacson said.
He added that the group was unlikely to gain sympathy from uniformed personnel, particularly the Marines, since at least 12 of them were dishonorably discharged from the service.
Lacson also said retired Marine Col. Ariel Querubin had virtually disowned the group, describing them as a disgrace.
Gatchalian, meanwhile, rejected the assertion of Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano that the NBI was in no position to determine a security threat at the Senate.
He said authorities were not banning protest actions outside the Senate, noting that the Philippine National Police had assured officials that it would maintain peace and order around the perimeter.
Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Alfred Corpus said he had coordinated with the PNP, AFP, and NICA to validate the reported threat and was still awaiting their responses.
Corpus said essential staff members would be allowed to enter the Senate if they needed to continue their work.
He added that the heightened security arrangement was initially set for Wednesday and Thursday, after which officials would reassess whether normal activities could resume.
“Kasi two days lang naman yung dineklara, di ba? Today and tomorrow. So, we will assess the situation after tomorrow,” Corpus said.
With regular activities suspended inside the Senate, Corpus said security personnel would conduct floor-to-floor inspections of the building.