By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan/PNA
MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it has yet to receive any validated information on threats to the life of President Rodrigo R. Duterte.
“There is no validated death threat upon the life of PRRD. However, the PNP will always be vigilant and not let its guard down in providing area and perimeter security whenever he is out for speaking engagements, visitations or inspections,” PNP spokesperson, Col. Bernard Banac, told reporters on Thursday.
Banac said the threats against the safety and security of the President is inherent to his job, especially now that he is fighting drug syndicates, communist terrorists, and criminals.
“It is the role of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) to always ensure that security and safety measures are set in place, including the bulletproof glass casing in situations where they are needed most,” he said.
On Tuesday night, the PSG placed a bulletproof glass in front of Duterte’s podium as a security measure during a Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) campaign rally in Malabon City.
PSG commander, Brig. Gen. Jose Eriel Niembra, earlier said they implemented the security protocol during the event because “the activity was situated in an open area” and “multi-faceted threats” were possible.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that whether reported threats are true or not, the President is bound by security protocols even though he is unfazed by these threats.
He explained that it is the duty of the PSG to provide the country’s leader with the highest level of security protocols, which includes putting up a bulletproof glass panel “if it deems necessary.”
