MANILA — The House prosecution panel has urged the Senate and several government agencies to ensure the safety and security of documentary evidence submitted for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, following recent reports of a cyber intrusion and alleged security threats.

In a report, it said that the appeal was made after a group reportedly admitted to hacking the Senate website, and days after the National Bureau of Investigation disclosed a possible security threat against the Senate building and its premises.

House lead impeachment prosecutor Rep. Gerville Luistro raised concern over the timing of the incidents, noting that pre-trial proceedings are set to begin next week.

“You know, it’s hard to speculate if this is connected to the impeachment trial. But what is clear is that we already have a schedule for our first pre-trial conference on June 18, which is this coming Thursday,” Luistro said at a press conference.

“So I wish to express my concern about the security and safety of those who will be joining the filing of the pre-trial brief on Monday, and those who will be joining the conduct of the pre-trial conference on Thursday, as well as all the senators, even the defense team, and the officials and employees of the Senate who are staying in the premises,” she added.

Luistro called on the National Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Justice, and the Philippine National Police to secure the Senate and its surroundings, stressing the importance of protecting a constitutional process.

“If this is connected to the impeachment trial, then we have more reason to make sure that this will be addressed because this is a very significant process. This is a constitutional process that concerns the interests of every Filipino across the world,” Luistro said.

“So whether connected or not, sana ay tutukan po ito ng ating mga katuwang sa paglilingkod mula sa law enforcement agencies,” she added.

The House of Representatives has also assured that security is being provided for prosecutors, witnesses, and the evidence submitted to the Senate.

“And of course, apart from this, we express likewise our concern in securing, as well, our witnesses and the evidence to be presented. And there are ongoing communications already in order to address that,” Luistro said.

Private prosecutor Atty. Lorna Kapunan echoed the concern, stressing the need to safeguard documentary evidence already transmitted to the Senate.

“It’s a real concern as practicing lawyers… So we echo the concern of our head public prosecutor, Ma’am Jinky, that there should be measures to protect our documents kasi na-transmit lahat,” Kapunan said.

“Speaking from an evidence point of view, we have to safeguard our evidence because the evidence from the House has been transmitted already,” she added.

“Most of our documentary evidence has been transmitted to the Senate, and in the pre-trial, that will happen where the pre-trial order says there will be pre-marking of documentary exhibits. We have a room full of documentary exhibits, literally and figuratively,” Kapunan said.

“We hope, well, we trust, that the Senate will provide protection, not only, especially for our people, but as well for the evidence in the impeachment case,” she added.