PSG disarms CA security

President Arroyo’s security men disarmed security guards of the Court of Appeals in Manila when the Chief Executive attended the CA’s 70th anniversary rites yesterday.

Reporters covering the CA, Supreme Court and the Department of Justice were also barred from entering the CA compound while Mrs. Arroyo was visiting.

The extra security precaution came two days after a small explosive device went off near the CA building. Investigators have yet to determine who caused the explosion, which resulted in no injuries.

CA Justice Remedios Salazar-Fernando, vice-chairwoman of the committee on CA’s 70th anniversary, said the Presidential Security Group took over security at the court premises during the one and a half hours that Mrs. Arroyo was there.

"Our own people were also disarmed this morning," she said. "Our own security (people) were disarmed. No firearms except the PSG."

Fernando said the PSG always takes over security whenever the President pays a visit.

"They have to supplement our security force," she said. "It is standard operating procedure."

Justice Conrado Vasquez Jr., chairman of the committee on CA’s 70th anniversary, said it was the first time that Mrs. Arroyo visited the CA and that the security force was not allowed to carry firearms.

"We have to follow the PSG," he said. "Their (CA security personnel) arms were deposited with the PSG."

Vasquez said Mrs. Arroyo stayed for less than two hours at the CA yesterday morning.

"She attended the Mass which took about one hour, then she chatted with us and ate, then she left," he said.

News photographers and television cameramen shoved the unarmed CA security men who were stationed to block them from entering the main entrance gate.

At least 60 Manila policemen temporarily closed several areas near the CA, including Ma. Orosa and Padre Faura streets, as well as portions of Taft Avenue.

Associate Justice Lucas Bersamin, chairman of the CA committee on security and safety, said the tight security measures implemented by the PSG were a result of the "paranoia" inside Malacañang about Mrs. Arroyo’s security.

"PSG told us you (reporters) are not allowed because GMA is here," he said. "You are not from Malacañang."

Bersamin said the tight security measures yesterday were not connected with Monday’s explosion that rocked the CA and shattered windowpanes in nearby buildings.

"Well, we have to be careful even if we don’t believe that the threat is serious," he said. "We still have to be careful."