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REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK: Demonstration highlights lax presidential security

A slow security response to a surprise demonstration staged by supporters of Losheng Sanatorium’s preservation yesterday highlighted the need for improvement in safeguarding President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) personal safety.

The presidential compound is being renovated, and Ma has continued to live in his old apartment.

About half-an-hour before the rally started yesterday, there were already reporters and photographers awaiting the protesters, with more arriving at 6:30am. Still, the security personnel did not realize what was about to happen. They simply marked a media area out using ropes and asked reporters to stay within the area.

A few minutes later, at 6:38am, when the demonstrators arrived in large numbers, security personnel finally sensed something was up. A National Security Bureau (NSB) agent standing in front of the gate to Ma’s apartment then started to talk to someone on his radio.

Twenty minutes later, the first security reinforcements arrived from a nearby police station.

A few high-ranking police officers, including Wenshan Second Police District Chief Pan Hung-hua (潘宏華) asked the protesters what their demands were and tried to talk them into calling their demonstration off.

As the situation intensified, cars were still driving by, while residents living in the president’s apartment building were also busy going in and out.

“They’ve been here since 6am and we only know about it now?” Pan was overheard saying to his subordinates. “Please stay more alert next time.”

Ma finally agreed to meet three of the protesters. When he appeared, NSB agents quickly encircled him, a move that displeased the reporters.

“Officer, please move a little so I can get some picture,” one photographer shouted. Others soon followed suit.

So the security officers moved, exposing the president to any danger that may come from across the street.

Then Ma approached the three demonstrators, who walked directly across the street without having had any security check.

Two minutes later, Ma jumped into his car and left for work.
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