Tightened security around Palace not related to Chacha protests - Ermita

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang has put up additional security measures around the Palace compound but an official said it is “standard operating procedure” during the holidays and is not related to the anti-Charter change (Chacha) protests. The Presidential Security Group (PSG) has set up two container vans and barbed wires along the side-bridges leading to the Arlegui gate. In Mendiola, four container vans, a fire truck, and several soldiers were positioned on the sides of the street. In Nagtahan, military trucks and soldiers in full battle gear guarded the gate to Malacañang. Militant organizations staged anti-Chacha protests nearby Plaza Miranda last Sunday as part of the commemoration of the 145th birth anniversary of Philippine hero Gat. Andres Bonifacio. But Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, in an ambush interview Monday, said the government is not threatened by protests. “Not really… This is nothing new to us. It has happened before, every time there are issues like this up in the air,” he said. Ermita said he is “very sure” that the Arroyo administration would survive protests, considering that it has survived similar situations before. “Let's not be panicky about this,” he said. He added that said the soldiers were stationed around the Palace “because the most unusual things happen at the most unusual moment.” “Every time we are on holiday, that is (standard operating procedure) for the military and the police to be on the alert,” he said. - GMANews.TV