Bulletproof glass panel installed for Duterte’s protection at Manila event

President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday spoke behind a bulletproof glass panel at an event in Manila following a government report that he was on the so-called “hit list” of communist rebels.

The glass panel was installed by the Presidential Security Group (PSG) ahead of Duterte’s arrival for the closing ceremony of the 1st Presidential Silent Drill Competition held at the Quirino Grandstand.

Presidential Security Group install bulletproof glass ahead of Pres. Duterte’s speech here at the Quirino Grandstand @gmanews pic.twitter.com/DNOvCdoxVp

— Joseph Morong ???????? (@Joseph_Morong) December 20, 2019

The PSG previously placed the glass panel in some of Duterte’s appearances during the election campaign season early this year.

On Tuesday, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. revealed that the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) were planning assassinations and other terror activities during the holiday season.

The CPP denied Esperon’s allegation, saying it was a ploy to "sabotage the planned resumption of formal peace talks" between its political wing, the National Democratic Front, and the government.

Still, PSG commander Brigadier General Jose Eriel Niembra assured the public on Wednesday that they were taking measures to protect the President.

“It's not a joking matter. It's [about] the life of the President and the survival of the country,” Niembra said. —LDF, GMA News