Photo from Rappler

by Alexia Bangayan

On Sunday, May 31, security preparations at the Senate were tightened as the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) joined efforts to secure the Senate premises ahead of the impeachment trial involving Vice President Sara Duterte, scheduled to begin on July 6.

According to NCRPO spokesperson Police Major Hazel Asilo, the deployment is aimed at maintaining crowd control and protecting the safety of personnel entering and exiting the Senate building.

“Patuloy na pakikipag-coordinate sa Senate security para ma-ensure natin na as soon as lumabas sa compound ng Senate, masasalo na ng ating pulis kung sino ang lalabas or kung kinakailangan silang i-assist para pag may pagtitipon, magagawang ma-clear natin ang daan nila,” Asilo said. 

She added that police forces remain in close coordination with Senate security, with additional personnel placed on standby in case tensions escalate during the impeachment process.

Asilo further noted that checkpoints have already been placed in areas around Pasay City to support security operations.

As security preparations continue, Senate Secretary Jose Luis Montales stated that the Vice President has until Monday, June 1, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. to submit her answer to the Articles of Impeachment, which may be filed personally, through counsel, or via electronic mail.

The summons was issued last May 18 when the impeachment trial was formally opened, giving Duterte and her team 10 days to respond to the Articles of Impeachment under Resolution No. 39 or the Rules of Procedure on Impeachment Trial.

Earlier, Senator Erwin Tulfo said the Senate is expected to conduct its regular legislative sessions in the morning and proceed with the impeachment proceedings in the afternoon from Monday to Wednesday once the trial begins.