Panelo wants PSG to probe how Sanchez kin were able to enter Malacañang

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo on Thursday said the Presidential Security Group (PSG) should investigate how the family members of convicted murderer-rapist Antonio Sanchez were able to enter Malacañang in February without prior appointment.

Information from the Palace logbook showed that Sanchez’s wife Elvira and his daughter Marie Antonelvie went to the New Executive Building, where Panelo’s office is located, on February 7, 21 and 26 this year.

Panelo, however, recalled he did not meet with them on February 21.

The Palace official said he and his staff had no idea that Sanchez’s relatives would visit him.

“Pinaiimbestigahan ko nga ngayon paano nakarating sila ng dalawang beses eh ng hindi natin nalalaman,” he told reporters. “We don’t even know how they were able to come.”

Panelo said the PSG should be strict in receiving visitors.

“My experience here is that in Gate 2 [entrance to New Executive Building] hindi masyado. Kung minsan, istrikto; kung minsan, hindi. That’s true. That’s why they really have to be strict kasi kung minsan nagugulat ako, ‘Oh bakit may tao diyan,’” he said.

“I think that’s security problem of the PSG, not us. Lax, siguro iyong lax.”

Panelo came under fire this week over his action on the request of the Sanchez family to give a favorable recommendation on his former client's plea for executive clemency.

He denied giving a recommendation for Sanchez’s release and said he only referred Marie Antonelvie's letter to the Board of Pardons and Parole in February for evaluation.

President Rodrigo Duterte defended Panelo on Wednesday, telling reporters that his spokesman and chief legal counsel did the "right thing."

The President also said Panelo did not commit conflict of interest for referring the request to the BPP and meeting the Sanchez family in his office in Malacañang. — BM, GMA News