Guns will no longer be allowed, and security measures will be tightened inside the House of Representatives after former Cagayan de Oro first district Rep. Benjo Benaldo was found bleeding from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound at the South Lobby last week.
Those entering the Batasan complex in Quezon City, including congressmen, must now undergo strict inspection, according to report on GMA News TV’s State of the Nation on Monday night.
Even congressmen and their security personnel will not be allowed to bring guns inside, the report said.
“We have a standing policy na hindi naman talaga allowed ang guns in the House. In fact, may areas of surrendering,” Atty. Marilyn Barua-Yap, Sec. Gen., House of Representatives, said in the same report.
Representatives Benjie Agarao (Laguna), Noel Villanueva (Tarlac), and Sherwin Tugna (Civac party-list) agreed with Acop.
“Its members are supposedly honorable men and women and it is incumbent upon them to act accordingly. If ever there are threats on the life of any member of Congress, it is the duty of law enforcement agencies of government to provide the needed security even for the ordinary people,” Villanueva said.
Under the new rules, security personnel of the House of Representatives will thoroughly screen those who enter. Screening includes a metal detector test and X-ray machine.
Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares said he was in favor of the tightened security. He said he was ready to follow the new rules, despite having received a text message that appeared to be a death threat.
“Wala kaming problema na pati kami ay dadaan sa security procedures. Ang taong bayan ay dapat ay hindi maapektuhan,” Colmenares said in the State of the Nation report Monday.
Meanwhile, Benaldo’s office remains cordoned off, as the investigation continues.
The Quezon City Police District recovered a 9-mm handgun inside Benaldo’s office and bullet fragments inside Benaldo’s personal room.
Quezon City police investigators said they did not find any suicide note in Benaldo’s office, contrary to reports from other media networks claiming the congressman left P100,000 and a suicide note before the incident.
Benaldo is currently in stable condition at the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City. According to his attending physician Dr. Jose Oreta, Benaldo sustained a gunshot wound in the left side of his chest. Doctors removed the affected portion of his lungs, and repaired broken blood vessels, the State of the Nation report said.
The couple had been in the news recently after Menezes posted a series of messages and pictures against domestic violence on social networking sites earlier this month, leading to speculation that she was a victim of domestic abuse herself. She later denied she was a victim of abuse, and said the posts were only meant to get Benaldo’s attention. — Carmela G. Lapeña/RSJ, GMA News
