On Friday afternoon, August 22, a woman named Flora Pineda was arrested by members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) after she was caught carrying a .45 caliber pistol as she tried to get inside Malacañan Palace.
“Pineda tried to enter the presidential palace through the Arias Gate on Jose Laurel Street before she was disarmed,” reports Willard Cheng on ABS-CBNnews.com.
Pineda was quoted as saying that “she had no intention of harming anyone” but that she “wants President Noynoy Aquino to step down because there are too many beggars on the streets.”
Pineda was brought to the Manila Police District headquarters.
The report noted: “The Arias Gate is usually used by visitors going to the New Executive Building (NEB). The NEB houses the Malacanang Press Corps office, Office of the Presidential Spokesman, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) and Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO).”
Screengrab from video
