HOUSE Committee on Justice Chairperson and Impeachment team lead prosecutor Atty. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro of Batangas on Thursday called on law enforcement agencies to ensure the security of the Senate premises, prosecutors, witnesses, personnel, and evidence ahead of the June 18 pre-trial conference in the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Speaking at a press conference at the House of Representatives, Luistro said it remains unclear whether the reported security threat and website defacement involving the Senate are related to the impeachment proceedings.
Nevertheless, she stressed that authorities should act swiftly to address any potential risks, noting that the first pre-trial conference is scheduled to take place next week.
“You know, it’s hard to speculate if this is connected to the impeachment trial,” Luistro said.
“What is clear, we have a schedule already for our first pre-trial conference on June 18, and that will be this coming Thursday,” she added.
Luistro said the concern covers those joining the filing of the pre-trial brief on Monday, the pre-trial conference on Thursday, senators, the defense team, and Senate officials and employees.
“So I wish to express my concern about the security and safety of those who will be joining the filing of pre-trial brief on Monday, and those who will be joining the conduct of the pre-trial conference on Thursday, as well as all the senators, even the defense team, and the officials and employees of the Senate, who are staying in the premises,” Luistro said.
She called on law enforcement and investigative agencies to look into the matter.
“And let me take advantage of this opportunity upang manawagan sa ating law enforcement agencies,” Luistro said.
“That includes, of course, the investigative bodies like the NBI, the DOJ, the BNP,” she added.
“Atin pong tingnan nito, let us look into this and make sure na ligtas, safe and secured, ang premises ng Senate,” Luistro said.
She said the matter becomes more urgent if the threat is tied to the impeachment process.
“If this is connected to the impeachment trial, then we have more reason to make sure that this will be addressed, because this is a very significant process,” Luistro said.
“This is a constitutional process that concerns the interests of every Filipino across the world,” she added.
“Whether connected or not, sana ay tutukan po ito ng ating mga katuwang sa paglilingkod mula sa law enforcement agencies,” Luistro said.
Luistro said House leadership has already started communications on security for prosecutors after reports from the NBI and the hacking of the Senate website.
“Well, the leadership actually initiated the communication already about providing the necessary security to all the prosecutors, considering the report of the NBI, the hacking of the Senate official website,” Luistro said.
She said the prosecution is also concerned about witnesses and evidence.
“And, of course, apart from this, we express likewise our concern in securing as well our witnesses and the evidence to be presented,” Luistro said.
“There are ongoing communications already in order to address that,” Luistro added.
