MANILA — Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said an alleged security threat at the Senate may be connected to 18 individuals who previously served as bodyguards of former party-list lawmaker Zaldy Co and were earlier tagged in the alleged kickback scheme tied to anomalous flood control projects.

In a media report, it said that in a virtual interview, Gatchalian said authorities are treating the reported threat as serious and have instructed the Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) to coordinate with intelligence agencies to verify the information.

“Lahat ng banta sineseryoso natin, especially sa ganitong situation. Si Senate Sergeant-at-Arms will be coordinating with intelligence agencies. In the meantime, we have to take this seriously kasi ang priority natin ay safety ng employees, media, members of the Senate and senators,” he said.

The Senate was placed under heightened security beginning Tuesday, June 9, after Gatchalian received information from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) regarding a purported threat.

Remote work arrangements were also implemented at the Senate from Wednesday, June 10, to Thursday, June 11, 2026.

Gatchalian said NBI Director Melvin Matibag had raised the possibility that the disruption could involve an armed group.

“What he said was there’s a possibility na mayroong manggugulo sa Senado, and it’s a possibility na armed group ang manggugulo,” Gatchalian said.

“Ang sabi ng NBI, it might be connected to them,” he added, referring to the 18 alleged former Marines.

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano earlier questioned the credibility of the reported threat, including its source from the NBI. He also raised concerns about the timing of the alert and why only certain senators were briefed, noting that the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, led by Senator Pia Cayetano, had been scheduled to hold another hearing on the flood control issue on June 11.

Gatchalian said the response to tighten security was made immediately due to the urgency of the situation.

“Napakabilis ng pangyayari. I had to react very quickly, talk to some senators for advice and suggestion. Bilang Acting Senate President, I have to do what I have to do to protect the employees,” he said.

He added that all senators, including members of the Cayetano bloc, were informed of the threat through a memorandum issued on Tuesday. He also clarified that the Senate is not under lockdown.

On Monday, the Tulfo-led committee held a consultative meeting on the flood control controversy, where the 18 alleged Zaldy Co ex-bodyguards and their legal counsel, Atty. Levi Baligod, were invited. The resource persons reportedly did not attend the meeting and instead stayed at the office of Senator Robinhood Padilla before holding a press conference.

In a separate statement, Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms chief Alfred Corpus said coordination with law enforcement agencies is ongoing to validate the reported threat.

“Strictly implemented ’yun until such time na bumaba na ang threat level natin. For now kasi, two days lang ang dineclare, we will assess the situation after tomorrow,” Corpus said.

“We’re doing everything to secure the Senate premises, including the safety of our senators… We’re doing our best,” he added.