President Aquino Leads Presidential Security Group’s 29th Anniversary Celebration

President Benigno S. Aquino III led the 29th founding anniversary of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) on Tuesday, recognizing the organization’s contribution to nation building.

Since the PSG’s creation in 1986, the group has evolved into a formidable and well-organized security organization for the President and his family, President Aquino said.

“Ang layo na nga po ng narating ng Presidential Security Group sa loob ng halos tatlong dekada,” he said, noting that when his mother, the former president Corazon Aquino, assumed power, the PSG had to begin from scratch.

“Noong nag-umpisa ang PSG, noong panahon ng nanay ko po, pagdating dito, wala na pong itinira sa atin: ultimong mga jalousie, doorknob, pati nga po mismong punong nakatayo, binunot dahil sila daw ang nagtanim kaya dadalhin na nila pag-alis nila—lahat ng matatangay ay kinuha nila,” the President said, recalling the excesses of the Marcos administration.

In the past several decades, the PSG has become a reliable and more organized professional organization, he said.

The President also praised PSG’s successes and sacrifices, from an ambush during one of the attempted coups d’etat in the 1980s at the Malacañang complex, where he nearly died, to the provision of security now that he is serving as President.

The PSG successfully secured him when he stayed in Zamboanga City during the Zamboanga siege in 2013, he said.

He also recognized the successful work of the PSG during the visit of Pope Francis in the country last January.

“Maski nga ho sa pagdating ng Santo Papa nitong Enero, sa kabila ng kagustuhan niyang makalapit sa napakaraming tao, nanatili siyang ligtas at naging matagumpay ang kanyang pagbisita,” he said.

“Malamang ang sinasabi ninyo ngayon: Di-hamak na mas madali akong bantayan kaysa sa Santo Papa.”

With the presence of groups sowing negativity and trying to destroy the unity between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), the PSG could serve as an example and model, according to the President.

The public, he said, must see the dedication of military and police personnel working together in a single command under the PSG to achieve national unity.

In the remaining days of his administration, the President said he, together with the Filipino people, could accomplish a lot with the PSG’s contributions.

“Nasa huling yugto na tayo ng ating administrasyon, kompiyansa ako na dahil kasama ko ang PSG, mas marami pa tayong magagawa tungo sa katuparan ng ating nagkakaisang adhikain: Isang Pilipinas na huwaran ng kaunlaran, isang bansang mapayapa, at nagsisilbing bukal ng pagkakataon para sa ating mamamayan,” he said.

Former president Corazon Aquino disbanded the Presidential Security Command under the Marcos administration in 1986 and replaced it with a leaner PSG with then Army Col. Voltaire T. Gazmin as its chief.

The PSG, which provides security to the President and his immediate family as well as visiting leaders, had to start from scratch because its headquarters was looted at the height of the EDSA People Power Revolution.

“Kalasag Ng Pangulo: Kaagapay Tungo sa Pag-unlad at Malawakang Pagbabago” was the theme of the PSG’s 29th anniversary celebration. PND (as)