Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian on Wednesday, June 10, said intelligence information received by the Senate indicated that a possible armed group could attempt to disrupt activities at the chamber, prompting heightened security measures and a temporary work-from-home arrangement for employees.

In an online interview, Gatchalian said the information was first relayed during the recent Blue Ribbon Committee consultative meeting when National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag approached Sen. Erwin Tulfo.

While declining to disclose specific details, Gatchalian said the information involved the possibility of individuals causing trouble inside the Senate and that they could be armed.

"What he said is that there's a possibility na mayroong manggugulo sa Senado. And it's a possibility na armed group yung manggulo (What he said is that there’s a possibility of trouble in the Senate. And an armed group might cause the disturbance)," he said.

Gatchalian said he assured senators at the time that security at the Senate had already been strengthened, including the deployment of additional personnel and assistance from the Philippine National Police (PNP).

He said the hearing proceeded as scheduled because Senate officials were confident the building remained secure.

Following consultations with the Senate's Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) and the Executive Committee, Gatchalian issued a memorandum ordering heightened security measures and a work-from-home arrangement for Senate employees.

"This is an offshoot of my consultation with the Executive Committee," he said.

Gatchalian added that he directed the Sergeant-at-Arms to coordinate with various intelligence agencies to validate the information and determine the Senate's next steps.

Asked whether the reported threat was connected to a group of 18 individuals who identified themselves as Marines and recently appeared at the Senate, Gatchalian said the NBI had indicated a possible link.

"According to the NBI, it might be connected to them," he said.

He stressed that the Senate's security measures were implemented out of an abundance of caution to ensure the safety of lawmakers, employees, and visitors.