The Senate’s Office of the Sergeant at Arms (OSAA) is prepared to extend assistance to Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa if he feels that his security is compromised, Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero said Wednesday.
Escudero said that providing security to senators and other officials is within the mandate and responsibilities of the OSAA.
“Kung saka-sakali ‘man mangailangan ng tulong si Senator Bato, nakahanda ang Office of the Sergeant at Arms na bigyan siya ng tulong at asistensya kung meron siyang pangamba kaugnay sa kanyang seguridad,” Escudero told reporters in a news forum.
(In case Senator Bato needs assistance, the Office of the Sergeant at Arms is ready to provide him with help and support if he has concerns regarding his security)
He further explained that the number of security personnel is determined based on the level of threat they face.
“Nagre-request sila depende sa level of threat nila. PSPG o Philippine National Police ang nag e-evaluate po niyan,” Escudero said.
(They request security based on the level of threat. The PSPG or Philippine National Police evaluates this.)
“Sa kaso ni Senator Bato, I think yung binabanggit niyang dalawang security na naka-assign sa kanya sa Davao ay accommodation lamang, hindi talaga naka-assign sa kanya. Iba pa yung security niya dito sa Maynila,” he added.
(In the case of Senator Bato, I think he is referring to the two security personnel assigned to him in Davao as mere accommodations, not officially assigned. His security detail in Manila is separate.)
A security detail is a team of security personnel assigned to protect an individual or a group. It usually consists of trained officers responsible for safeguarding the individuals they are assigned to, including monitoring potential threats, controlling access, and providing physical protection.
Escudero said senators can request additional security through the OSAA.
OSAA currently has around 80 personnel, he added. “Pwede pa kami mag-deputize ayon sa pangangailangan ng sinumang Senador (We can still deputize based on the needs of any senator).”