Gun-toting woman tries to enter Malacañang

MANILA, Philippines - A woman who claimed she wanted President Aquino to step down tried to enter Malacañang yesterday while carrying a fully loaded .45 caliber pistol.

The woman, identified by members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) as Flora Pineda, was arrested as she tried to enter the Arias gate on Jose Laurel street.

Pineda told the PSG she was from Tuguegarao, Cagayan but her identification card showed she was from Taguig City. The presidential guards disarmed her, took her into custody and later brought her to the Manila Police District (MPD).

Under interrogation, she said she wanted Aquino to step down because there were too many beggars on the streets, ABS-CBN reported.

Pineda told reporters she did not intend to hurt anybody despite her attempt to enter Malacañang at around 3:40 p.m. She said she was not afraid to undergo investigation because she did not have any criminal record.

 “I do not want to kill anyone,” she said.

Pineda said she did not care about any officials of the Palace when asked if she knew Presidential Legislative Liaison Office Secretary Manuel Mamba.

She also told reporters to leave her alone when they continued to ask why she was carrying a gun.

The Arias gate is usually used by visitors going to the New Executive Building, which houses the Malacañang Press Corps office, Office of the Presidential Spokesman, Presidential Communications Operations Office and Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office, according to ABS-CBN.

Police investigators said the gun Pineda carried was issued to her brother, Staff Sergeant Rolando Nonato of the Philippine Marines, last Jan. 29.

Nonato, when asked how his sister obtained his gun,  a .45 caliber Norinco NP44 pistol with nine bullets, refused to comment.        – With Aie Balagtas See