Palace tightens security

Security at Malacañang was tightened yesterday after President Arroyo’s eldest son received a death threat from alleged supporters of ousted leader Joseph Estrada.

Two truckloads of battle-ready soldiers were deployed at the Palace to check on vehicles entering the presidential residence and to prepare for a possible attack by Estrada supporters.

Earlier yesterday, Juan Miguel Arroyo, the President’s son, said he received a letter from supporters of Estrada threatening to harm him and his family.

The young Arroyo, nicknamed Mikey, is running for vice governor of Pampanga. He said five Armalite bullets were inside the white envelope that contained the letter left inside the restroom of the Holiday Land restaurant in Pampanga last Friday.

He was at the restaurant that day, he said, although he claims to frequent the place to meet with small groups of supporters.

The typewritten letter found by one of Arroyo’s aides read: "To Mr. Juan Miguel Arroyo, sobra-sobra na ang ginagawa ninyong panggigipit sa aming mahal na tunay na Presidente ng Pilipinas. Hindi lahat ng oras ay hawak ninyo (Your harassment of our beloved true President of the Philippines is simply too much. But time is not always in your hands)."

At a press conference yesterday, Arroyo admitted he was very much affected by the threat, the first he received since his mother entered politics more than a decade ago.

But he claimed he would not be cowed.

"They can send me as many live bullets as possible. They can try to scare me to death. But I will not shirk from my duties. I will never ever abandon the principles and commitments instilled in me by my parents," he said.

Press Undersecretary Roberto Capco said Mrs. Arroyo is not taking the threat lightly. He quoted the President as saying that the government will see to it "that the safety of our children and followers is ensured."

"The safety of everyone is non-negotiable," Capco said.

The threat against the First Family came as the military went on security alert amid rumors of a coup plot against the Arroyo administration purportedly by Estrada supporters.

The weekly "Sundays at Malacañang Park," which features free musical shows, was canceled yesterday and top military and police officials have been meeting at the palace to assess the situation.