Senator Ronald Dela Rosa on Wednesday challenged those behind the death threats on one of his colleagues, saying the threat should be on him instead.
“You threaten me and not my fellow (senators) who are not accustomed to threats,” said Dela Rosa, a former chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
“They have been torturing people and now, they are threatening senators,” he noted Believing that the threats came from the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) sector, tagged as a multi-billion industry like a drug industry and cartel, Dela Rosa demanded that Gatchalian should be well-secured.
Senate President Francis Escudero gave assurance he would always help a fellow member of the Senate and stand ready to assist in whatever way he can.
“They know that. However, the decision to engage additional security personnel is a personal one that I cannot make for them,” Escudero said.
He provided additional security to Gatchalian when the latter conducted an ocular inspection of a POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga.
But, he said the Senate is yet to provide him additional security on a daily basis.
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III suggested extreme caution for Gatchalian and the other senators involved in the Senate investigation into the illlicitthe activities of the POGO and the alleged links of suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo o Guo Hua Ping.
Gatchalian had asked the Pasay police to investigate the alleged death threats against him and take swift action to ensure his safety and those associated with him.
Also threatened was Senator Risa Hontiveros , chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women, Children. Family Relations and Gender Equality which has been conducting the POGO hearings.
Gatchalian said “these threats appear to be a consequence of my active participation in investigations on POGO connected to Mayor Alice Guo of Bamban and the Guo family.”
The senator said he was informed by his staff about a video circulating online containing “explicit threats” directed at his personal safety and well-being.
He noted that the creation and online dissemination of the video has caused him substantial concern for his security, as well as the safety of those around him, particularly his family and staff.
The transcript of the video attached to the letter indicated that Guo allegedly paid her men P10 million to silence Gatchalian and Hontiveros.
