Duterte’s security briefly bars media from entering Malacanang Complex due to threats

May 1, 2018

The Presidential Security Group briefly barred members of the press from entering Malacanang Complex due to "threats" on Labor Day. Even the crew cab carrying the reporter and crew of state-run People's Television 4 (PTV4) was initially not allowed to enter as the PSG declared a "red alert." A little past 11 am, after officers of the Malacanang Press Corps called up authorities  reporters were allowed to enter. "There was misunderstanding. We have declared red alert there (in Malacanang) because there were reported threats. So we're just making sure," said PSG chief Brig. Gen. Lope Dagoy in a phone interview with reporters. Dagoy accompanied President Rodrigo Duterte in Cebu City to observe 116th Labor Day anniversary. According to him, they did not know members of the Malacanang Press Corps would go to the Press Working Area at the New Executive Building inside Malacanang Complex even if the president has no scheduled activities in the Palace. Under the previous administrations, even if it was a holiday, members of the press were not barred from going to the PWA to file their stories there. Dagoy apologized for what happened. "I'd like to apologize for the inconvenience. It is not the intent to do that," he said. PSG chief of staff Col. Potenciano Camba, Malacanang ground commander, said they became strict because "it's Labor Day. We are anticipating protest rallies here in Mediola so we have (placed Malacanang) under heightened alert." Mendiola is a few meters away from one of the Malacanang gates. Camba said his office had to clear first with the Presidential Communications Operations Office as they did not expect many media members would enter the Palace. Media vehicles were stopped at the gate even if they have a pass, which the PSG issued early this year. Asked if this would be the new norm in Malacanang, Camba said, "It's not for as long as there is prior coordination. Things will be smoother." During Duterte's trip to Singapore last week, Filipino reporters who were members of the foreign press were also barred from attending a press conference of Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III. Last February, Duterte ordered the banning of a reporter of online news site Rappler in covering him inside and outside Malacanang. The Securities and Exchange Commission has revoked the license of Rappler allegedly for violating the constitutional provision that any news entity should be a hundred percent owned by Filipinos. The order has been under appeal before the Court of Appeals. Rappler has been critical against the administration. Celerina Monte/DMS