MANILA, Philippines - There is no threat to President Aquino following the arrest last Friday of a woman who tried to enter Malacañang with a fully loaded .45 caliber pistol, a Palace official said yesterday.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte maintained there was no security lapse when Flora Pineda, 36, a domestic helper, tried to sneak into the Palace compound.
“There’s no threat to the President or anyone who works in the New Executive Building, including the Malacañang Press Corps,” Valte said on government-run dzRB.
She said the Presidential Security Group (PSG) showed it “continually does its job” when its members arrested the gun-toting woman.
“Because if not, she could have entered into various areas. But the PSG caught her and submitted her to investigation process,” Valte said.
The PSG turned Pineda over to the Manila Police District for further investigation and booking.
Pineda, of Signal Village, Taguig, said she did not intend to harm anyone. She said she wanted hunger and poverty being experienced by Filipinos to end.
She wanted Aquino to step down because of his failure to address these problems.
Valte dismissed speculations that the incident could be used for political purposes or to divert the issue of Charter change for possible term extension of the President.
“We will not use that for anything. Allow me to reiterate that the President does not hold office in the New Executive Building,” she said.
The New Executive Building houses the Malacañang Press Corps office, Presidential Communications Operations Office, Presidential News Desk and Media Affairs Relations Office.
There are residential areas, schools, churches and other public places within the Malacañang grounds. But Valte said the PSG has always prevented security breaches.
She said the PSG would continue to be on guard to protect the President.
Pineda was reported to be carrying a .45 caliber pistol but it was later clarified to be an M1911.
Reports said Pineda is suffering from a mental illness. Police brought her to the Ospital ng Maynila on Friday night to determine if she has psychological disorder.