MANILA, Philippines - The Senate, alarmed over the increasing number of incidents involving motorcycle-riding criminals, has set new security measures in place.
In a memorandum sent to all concerned Senate officials and personnel, Senate sergeant-at-arms Jose Balajadia Jr. advised all Senate employees who use motorcycles to take off their helmets upon reaching the security guard outpost at the main gate of the Senate, which is housed in the Government Service Insurance System building in Pasay City.
“Amid the rising number of crimes involving motorcycle-riding criminals, this office has directed the security guards to conduct an additional security (check) at the main gate of the Senate,†Balajadia said in a one-page security advisory dated Feb. 24.
The memorandum was approved by Senate Secretary Oscar Yabes.
Balajadia said the security inspection shall allow security guards to check on the identification of motorcycle riders.
In another memo, Balajadia also advised all vehicle owners issued Senate car stickers against double-parking their vehicles at the Senate open parking area, which has limited parking slots.
The Senate Office of the Sergeant-At-Arms is in charge of the security measures within the Senate premises. It has recently hired a private security agency to handle operations outside the Senate building, doing away with the police officers assigned to assist OSAA personnel.