The House of Representatives has displayed a measure of readiness against a possible attack from terrorists.
This, after House officials led the conduct of an anti-terrorism drill on Monday, Dec. 19 with House security personnel and elements of other law enforcement and related agencies.
Spearheading the security exercise was House Sergeant-at-Arms Napoleon Taas. a retired military general.
“We conducted the anti-terrorism security exercise upon the instruction of Speaker Martin Romualdez,” said Taas, whose primary job is to maintain order in the House of Representatives; enforce House rules; and protect the lives of the officers and members of the House, its personnel and guests, as well as properties within the Batasang Pambansa Complex.
“The Speaker wants to ensure that our internal security forces can work seamlessly with law enforcement authorities to effectively address any threats directed against the House of the People,” he added.
Over 300 congressmen and their staff hold office at Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City. 0
Taas said the security exercise also tested the capability, inter-operability, and adequacy not only of the skills of the participating personnel but also their weapons and communications systems that they will use to subdue the threats.
Among the contingents that participated in the anti-terrorism drill were members of the Legislative Security Bureau (LSB), the operating arm of the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms; personnel from the QCPD Crowd Disturbance Management and Police Security Protection Group of the Philippine National Police (PSPG-PNP); Joint Anti-Terror Task Force-National Capital Region (JTF-NCR) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP); and personnel from the private security agency serving the House.
Also providing support during the anti-terrorism drill were personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), as well as House medical personnel.
According to Taas, the anti-terrorism drill is just one of the various security exercises regularly being conducted to enhance the readiness of security forces.