PNP dismisses 'siege' claim at Malacañang on Independence Day
At A Glance
- Col. Allen Rae Co, chief of PNP public information office, said authorities have not received any confirmed report of an attack plot related to the June 12 celebrations next week.
Malacañang Palace
The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday, June 5, dismissed claims of an alleged plan to storm Malacañang on Independence Day, saying there is no validated intelligence pointing to any such threat and that security preparations remain routine.
Col. Allen Rae Co, chief of PNP public information office, said authorities have not received any confirmed report of an attack plot related to the June 12 celebrations next week.
“We have received no validated intelligence regarding any such threats on Independence Day,” Co said.
“But, we reassure the public that the PNP remains ready and vigilant and fully deployed to ensure the safety and security of all Independence Day celebrations across the country,” he added.
Rumors spread like wildfire after veteran radio broadcaster Ramon Tulfo claimed on his Facebook page that a high-level security meeting took place at Camp Crame involving security preparations for Malacañang amid alleged plans by pro-Vice President Sara Duterte groups and a “religious sect” to storm the Palace on Independence Day.
Co confirmed there was a security meeting at Camp Crame involving Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla and PNP leadership but he clarified it was not extraordinary and was part of regular coordination within the police organization.
“There’s nothing unusual or there’s nothing urgent about the meeting,” he said. “It’s a normal and routine exercise of the Secretary [Remulla’s] authority of the Philippine National Police to set direction, align priorities as well as ensure all the programs and operations of the PNP are consistent with the administration’s peace and order agenda.”
According to the PNP, the discussions covered standard security preparations for upcoming national events, including Independence Day and other major state functions such as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address this July.
Amid questions on whether members of the police were being influenced by political groups, Co rejected the suggestion and reaffirmed institutional alignment.
“The PNP is solely behind the administration,” the PNP’s mouthpiece emphasized.