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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Security for Marcos at 'maximum' after explosives found near DOJ, Senate — Palace

Security for Marcos at 'maximum' after explosives found near DOJ, Senate — Palace

Published Jul 27, 2026 01:42 pm

At A Glance

  • Malacañang said security for President Marcos should always be at the "maximum level," regardless of recent security incidents.
  • The Palace called on law enforcement authorities to further tighten security following an explosion near the Department of Justice and the discovery of a suspected improvised explosive device near the Senate hours before the President's SONA.
  • Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said she had yet to discuss the incidents with President Marcos before the State of the Nation Address.
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (File photo)
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (File photo)

Malacañang said security for President Marcos should remain at the "maximum level" following an explosion near the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the discovery of a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) near the Senate hours before the President delivered his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Speaking to reporters at the Batasang Pambansa before the SONA on Monday, July 27, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said the President's security should not depend on whether security threats had been reported.

"Kahit may pagsabog o wala, dapat ang proteksyon sa Pangulo ay to the maximum level, alam naman natin 'yan (Whether there is an explosion or not, the President's protection should always be at the maximum level, we all know that)," she said.

Asked whether security should be tightened further following the incidents, Castro said she would leave operational decisions to the Philippine National Police (PNP) but stressed that authorities should strengthen security measures.

"Hindi ko masasabi sa PNP, pero definitely dapat (I cannot speak for the PNP, but definitely it should be)," she said.

The Palace Press Officer said she had not yet discussed the incidents with President Marcos before the SONA, but added that the police should intensify security efforts.

"Sa ngayon, hindi kami nakapag-usap ng Pangulo (As of now, we have not spoken with the President),” Castro said.

“Pero, definitely, iyong mga kapulisan natin dapat mas matindi ang pag-iingat at ang seguridad (But definitely, our police should exercise greater vigilance and strengthen security)," she added.

Earlier Monday, the DOJ confirmed that an explosion believed to have been caused by an IED occurred near the entrance of its Padre Faura headquarters shortly after midnight, although no injuries were reported and authorities said the compound remained secure as the investigation continued.

Authorities also recovered a suspected improvised explosive device near the Senate along Diokno Boulevard in Pasay City on Monday morning, prompting an investigation and heightened security, although Senate proceedings continued as scheduled.

Related Tags

President Marcos Bongbong Marcos Claire Castro SONA Explosion
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