House security conducts anti-terror drill

An anti-terrorism drill was conducted on Wednesday at the House of Representatives by its security personnel and other law enforcement agencies.

According to a statement from the office of Speaker Martin Romualdez, the exercise of the composite security forces was led by Retired Police Major General Napoleon Taas, the Sergeant-at-Arms of the House of Representatives.

The Sergeant-at-Arms is responsible for the maintenance of order in the House of Representatives, the enforcement of House Rules, and the protection of the lives of the officers and Members of the House, its personnel and guests as well as properties within the Batasan building complex in Quezon City.

“The Speaker wants to ensure that our internal security forces can work seamlessly with law enforcement authorities to effectively address any threats directed against the House of the People,” Taas said.

In addition, Taas said the security exercise tested the capability, inter-operability, and adequacy not only of the skills of the participating personnel but also their weapons and communications systems necessary to address possible security threats.

Among those who participated in the anti-terrorism drill are personnel of the Legislative Security Bureau (LSB), the operating arm of the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms; personnel from the QCPD Crowd Disturbance Management and Police Security Protection Group of the Philippine National Police (PSPG-PNP), Joint Anti-Terror Task Force-National Capital Region (JTF-NCR) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), as well as personnel from the private security agency serving the House of Representatives. 

Also providing support during the anti-terrorism drill were personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), as well as medical personnel of the House of Representatives. — BM, GMA Integrated News