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Heightened security near Malacañan part of routine exercise—Castro

Philippines | National

Heightened security near Malacañan part of routine exercise—Castro

By Argyll Cyrus Geducos

Malacañan Palace (Manila Bulletin/File Photo)

Malacañan Palace (Manila Bulletin/File Photo)

Malacañang clarified that the heightened security observed around the Palace complex was part of a routine security exercise to test the operational readiness of personnel.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said this amid rumors circulating online about razor wires supposedly installed and police guarding areas leading to the Malacañan compound.

“It is just part of security exercise to test the operational readiness of personnel and units,” Castro said in a message to reporters on Monday, March 16.

The images prompted speculation on social media, with some personalities suggesting that Malacañang had been placed under full alert.

Veteran broadcaster Jay Sonza posted online asking why a “marubdob na alerto” (heightened alert) had allegedly been ordered around the Palace since the previous night.

Another post by broadcaster Ramon Tulfo claimed that Malacañang was on “full alert,” citing an unnamed source.

The posts also mentioned that police had secured areas leading to the Palace compound and that streets such as Mendiola, Arlegui, and Nicanor Padilla were closed to vehicular traffic.

Castro, however, stressed that the situation was merely part of a planned security drill and not related to any specific threat.

Security exercises are periodically conducted around Malacañang and nearby areas to ensure that law enforcement personnel and units remain prepared for various contingencies.

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Malacañang Claire Castro Heightened security

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