Senate security gearing up for Sara Duterte impeachment trial

MANILA, Philippines – The Senate security unit is assessing and preparing appropriate arrangements for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Ret. PMGen. Alfred Sotto-Corpus said on Monday.

Corpus was asked about the possible security arrangements during the impeachment trial itself, even as the Senate continues to be on “heightened alert” while the pre-trial conference is ongoing.

“It depends… We will react, of course, according to the situation, according to the information that we will gather,” he told the media.

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Duterte’s impeachment trial is scheduled on July 6.

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READ: Day 2 of Sara Duterte impeachment pre-trial begins

According to Corpus, the current security threat to the Senate is not dependent on the situation inside, but rather on the “whole environment” in the area.

Citing the data gathered through different law enforcement agencies and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, no rallies are scheduled in the vicinity of the Senate, but Corpus said it is likely.

“It’s most likely that there will be rallies, but right now we’re not receiving any except for the ones this week,” he said.

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Continued heightened alert

The Senate remains under “heightened alert” two weeks after a supposed security threat was identified, Corpus confirmed.

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READ: ‘Evolving security concern’ triggers Senate-wide inspection

“Our situation is still the same, it has not changed. After conferring with different security, law enforcement agencies and the Armed Forces, we agreed that, based on the information we had, we’ll still maintain our security status, which is heightened alert,” he pointed out.

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Under heightened security status, no visitors are allowed to enter the Senate premises, and vehicles entering undergo thorough security checks. /gsg