Gatchalian blasts ‘attempt to sow fear,’ orders tighter security measure

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate will tighten its security measures following the recovery of a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) just outside its premises on Monday morning.

According to Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Alfred Corpus, personnel of a towing truck found a suspicious package 150 meters from the chamber’s gate around 8 a.m., or two hours before the Senate convened the second regular session of the 20th Congress.

READ: Congress convenes for 2nd regular session

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“When they found it, they opened what looked like a SkyFlakes box. Inside, they saw what appeared to be a package with wires and batteries. Initially they were just playing with it. And then when some of our police officers, who were patrolling the area, saw it… and reported it to their superiors,” Corpus told reporters.

He said the package contained a battery, a clock, a commercial blasting cap and brown powder.

The incident prompted the Senate leadership to further intensify security measures in the chamber despite already being on heightened alert for the opening of Congress and president’s annual State of the Nation Address.

“The Senate president (Sherwin Gatchalian) directed the Osaa (Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms) to intensify security operations at the Senate. So we will intensify the security operations here at the Senate,” Corpus said.

This means, he said, adding more security personnel on the grounds and intensifying security inspections at the Senate.

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Gatchalian condemned in the strongest terms what he viewed as an “apparent attempt to sow fear near the Senate on the very day our institutions gather for the State of the Nation Address.”

“No such act of intimidation will distract the Senate from its work for the Filipino people,” he said in a statement.

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The Senate chief `called on the police and all concerned agencies to conduct a thorough, impartial investigation into the incident “to determine who is responsible and what they intended to achieve.”

“The perpetrators must be identified and held accountable under the law,” Gatchalian stressed.

“We appeal to the public to remain calm and vigilant, and to report any suspicious activity to the proper authorities,” he added.

As he thanked the police for their swift response, Gatchalian also expressed relief that no one was hurt. /mr

NOTE: The English translations in the article were AI-generated

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