THE AREA outside the presidential guest house in Davao City, also referred to as the Malacañang of the South, will soon be barred from those conducting rallies and protests for security reasons. The guest house is located inside the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) equipment services division XI in Barangay Panacan, which is why locals refer to its as Panacañang. “The PSG (Presidential Security Guard) is mandated to secure the area, whether or not the President is physically present in the area. Since it is one of official residences of the President it has to be secured,” said Councilor Ma. Belen S. Acosta, chair of the committee on peace and public safety. The PSG informed Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio of their plan to institute stricter security measures in Panacañang, which was then endorsed to and approved by the council. PSG Commander Brig. Gen. Lope C. Dagoy said apart from security, the no-protest zone implementation is also intended to address traffic congestion in the vicinity, covering the front area of the DPWH complex to the bridge near the Eastern Mindanao Command headquarters. — Carmencita A. Carillo

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR