By Azer N. Parrocha
MANILA, (PNA) — Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Jose Balajadia has said that security for the Senate probe on alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Napoles will be strict, although it would be minus arms and uniform.
Balajadia told Senate reporters in a briefing on Monday that he will prohibit members of both the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Senate security from bringing arms and being in uniform inside the Senate for a one specific reason.
“I don’t want the Senate to look like a garrison,” Balajadia said, adding that arms could even possibly increase the security threat in the Senate.
Despite the absence of arms and uniform, he assured that 60 members of the PNP will guard and fortify the whole Senate vicinity in Pasay City.
Balajadia said he will be anticipating demonstration as it is the usual case but “the police will be there to control the crowd.”
As for threats, Balajadia said there was none so far.
“When she (Napoles) arrives, we have measures in order to stop predators from coming in here,” he stressed.
Civilians are welcomed to watch the hearing as it is considered a public activity, but Balajadia said the audience will need to be in proper dress code, which is a shirt with collar and shoes.
The Senate Session Hall has an original seating capacity good for 235 people but Balajadia said they will be adding 65 more chairs to make it a total of 300 seats to accommodate civilians.
“Nobody should be standing up inside except media members who will have their (own) place (to stay),” Balajadia said, explaining that seating would come on a first come, first served basis.
Balajadia noted that in his more than 10 years of service in the Senate, Napoles is the most high-risk personality ordered to appear in the Senate to date.