Malacañang clarified Monday that the recent heightened security observed around the Palace complex was part of a routine exercise, not a response to any specific threat.
Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the drills, which drew speculation online, are standard procedures conducted periodically to test readiness.
“It is just part of security exercise to test the operational readiness of personnel and units,” Castro said in a statement on March 16.
The exercises sparked rumors on social media, with some personalities claiming the Palace had been placed under full alert.
Broadcaster Jay Sonza questioned why a “marubdob na alerto” (heightened alert) had allegedly been ordered, while Ramon Tulfo cited an unnamed source saying Malacañang was on “full alert.”
Reports also noted police securing streets leading to the Palace compound, including Mendiola Street, Arlegui Street, and Nicanor Padilla Street.
Castro emphasized that the measures were part of planned drills and not linked to any threat, adding that such exercises are regularly conducted to ensure law enforcement units remain prepared for contingencies around Malacañang and nearby areas.