MANILA, Philippines – Nasa ilalim ng heightened security ang House of Representatives makaraang makatanggap umano ng banta ang ilang mambabatas.
Ayon kay House Secretary General Reginald Velasco, maglalabas siya ng memo upang mahigpit na ipatupad ang heightened security. Nauna nang ipinatupad ng House Sergeant at Arms ang ganitong hakbang noon pang Biyernes.
“There have been threats being received by members. Members of Congress, by employees, by staff, from groups,” ani Velasco.
“The security has been tightened. So we just want to protect the members of the House of Representatives and staff and employees of the House from any untoward incidents,” dagdag niya.
Nang tanungin kung sino ang mga nakatanggap ng banta, sinabi ni Velasco na hindi niya pwedeng pangalanan ang mga ito ngunit nakatanggap ang mga ito ng banta noon pang Enero.
“Basta sinasabi lang na baka bombahin itong House of Representatives,” ibinunyag ng secretary general.
Ayon kay Velasco, ang security measures na ipinatutupad nila ngayon ay kapareho nang ginawa nila noong State of the Nation Address ng Pangulo.
Partikular na naghihigpit ang Kamara sa mga motorcycle rider lalo pa’t nagsumbong din ang mga guard na may ilang kahina-hinalang rider ang umaaligid sa bisinidad ng Kamara.
“Ni-report sa akin ng security. There were some motorcycles going around the premises. Kaya pinagbawal na naman yung motorcycles being parked in front of any buildings. So we have designated a special parking area for motorcycles. And then for those deliveries, we have instructed our security that delivery men should stay at the gate. And then the goods or supplies will just be picked up by the representatives of the members or employees. Dati kasi we allowed them to come in,” paliwanag ni Velasco.
Idinagdag niya na nagpapatuloy ang roving security personnel 24-7. RNT/JGC