Palace says Marcos security remains at 'maximum level' after DOJ blast

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro on Monday said that the security of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. remains at “maximum level” even after the explosion near the Department of Justice (DOJ).

In an ambush interview ahead of Marcos’ fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), Castro described the incident as “alarming.”

“‘Yung operasyon na ‘yan, ibibigay ko na lamang sa security saka sa mga kapulisan at hindi ko puwedeng pangunahan kung anong mga balak nila. Pero siyempre kung ano man ang nangyayari dito, alarming ‘yun,” she said

(I will leave that operation to his security and the police, but I cannot presume what their plans are. But of course, whatever is happening here, it is alarming.)

“Kung wala namang mga Pilipino manggugulo, sana mas asensado na sana ang Pilipinas,” she added.

(If there were no Filipinos causing trouble, the Philippines would’ve been in a better situation.)

Castro said she cannot say yet if there are any adjustments to the security of the President.

Regardless, she stressed that the security of Marcos remains at “maximum level.”

“Kahit may pagsabog o walang pagsabog, dapat ang proteksyon sa Pangulo ay to the maximum level. Alam naman natin ‘yan,” she said.

(Whether there is an explosion or not, the President should be protected at the maximum level. We know that.)

Asked if the Palace is worried about the incident, she said, “Hindi kami nagkausap ng Pangulo but definitely, ‘yung mga kapulisan natin dapat mas matindi ang pag-iingat at seguridad.”

(I haven’t talked to the President but definitely, our police should be more vigilant and ensure his security.)

Marcos is scheduled to deliver his fifth SONA at 4 p.m. Monday at the House of Representatives at Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City.

The DOJ said an explosion occurred near its entrance on Padre Faura Street, Manila at approximately 12:17 a.m. on Monday, allegedly caused by an improvised explosive device.

There were no reported casualties, according to the agency. —KG, GMA News