NCRPO working with OSAA to secure Senate compound amid Sara Duterte impeachment

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) is coordinating with the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) to ensure security and order outside the premises of the Senate, as the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is set to begin on July 6, 2026.

This move also aims for better crowd control and the safety of personnel going in and out of the Senate building, NCRPO spokesperson Police Major Hazel Asilo told Super Radyo dzBB on Sunday.

“Patuloy na pakikipag-coordinate sa Senate security para ma-ensure natin na as soon as lumabas sa compound ng Senate, masasalo na ng ating pulis kung sino ang lalabas or kung kinakailangan silang i-assist para pag may pagtitipon, magagawang ma-clear natin ang daan nila,” Asilo said.

(We are coordinating with the Senate security to ensure that as soon as individuals leave the Senate compound, they are immediately given assistance, or we could clear the way if there are gatherings outside.)

She added the NCRPO is coordinating with OSAA on whether barriers will be placed since a big adjustment will be made.

Earlier this month, Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto expressed his dismay with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other security personnel, noting they failed to manage the crowd outside the Senate.

Sotto said that he was assaulted by “barbaric protesters,” who repeatedly banged on his vehicle, threw bottles, and made foul remarks while he was exiting the Senate compound.

Asilo said there are reserve personnel on standby should things escalate during Duterte’s impeachment trial, while there are already checkpoints in place around Pasay City.

Duterte’s deadline to respond to the writ of summons in her impeachment case is on June 1.

The Office of the Vice President confirmed receipt of the documents, but Duterte has yet to submit her response.

Under Resolution No. 39 or the Rules of Procedure on Impeachment Trial, Duterte was given a non-extendible period of ten calendar days from receipt to file her pleadings on the impeachment case, and will be ordered to appear before the Senate "upon notice."

The prosecution, on the other hand, may file a reply within a non-extendible period of five calendar days from receipt of the answer.

Senator Erwin Tulfo earlier said that as Duterte’s impeachment trial begins on July 6, the Senate would hold regular sessions in the morning before proceeding with the impeachment trial in the afternoon from Monday to Wednesday.

The House of Representatives impeached Duterte on allegations of culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, betrayal of public trust, bribery, and other high crimes. —RF, GMA News