President Aquino leads PSG’s 30th Founding Anniversary

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 2): President Aquino leads PSG’s 30th Founding Anniversary

President Benigno S. Aquino III on Tuesday praised the Presidential Security Group (PSG) for its dedication to service, thanking its members for protecting him and his family in the past five years.

In a speech for the PSG's 30th Founding Anniversary, held at the PSG Grandstand in Malacañang Park, President Aquino said the group has evolved into a more professional security service of the Armed Forces, compared to the security group during the Marcos regime.

At the same time, the President commended the PSG for its successes even in the face of such challenges as the Zamboanga siege, the Bohol and Cebu quake, Typhoon Yolanda, the visit of Pope Francis, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, as well as other huge events in the country.

"Lahat nga ng pinasok nating alanganin, nariyan kayo lagi, at nakabantay sa kaligtasan ko," he said.

The PSG is part of the reforms carried out by the government, he said, noting that the country has begun to reap the fruits of this transformation.

Among these changes, he said, is the drop in the number of poor people in the country, with 7.7 million Filipinos being lifted out of poverty through the government’s pro-poor measures.

The President specifically expressed his gratitude to Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, former PSG Commander Chito Dizon, and current PSG chief, Raul Ubando, for their unwavering dedication to service.

"Wala akong ibang salitang maisusukli sa inyong wagas na serbisyo, kundi ‘Maraming maraming salamat.’ Salamat, sa araw-araw na pagsiguro sa kaligtasan ko at ng aking pamilya. Salamat, sa pakikiramay sa hirap at ginhawa sa trabaho, kahit pa alam ninyong mas madalas, sa hirap ang pinagsasaluhan," he said.

"Salamat, sa pagturing ninyo sa akin, hindi lang bilang inyong Commander-in-Chief, kundi pati na rin bilang kaibigan at kapamilya. Salamat, dahil nariyan kayo, mas epektibo kong naisasabuhay ang atas ng ating mga Boss na ipaglaban ang malawakang pagbabago sa lipunan."

The President said that in his remaining 121 days in office, he expects the PSG to live up to its motto of "Integrity, Service, and Excellence” in doing its service to the nation.

President Aquino also led the awarding rites for outstanding PSG members, both uniformed personnel and civilian employees.

Among the awardees were Col. William Alunday, Presidential Legion of Honor Awards; Col. Rosalito Martirez, Presidential Legion of Honor Awards; Cdr. Edwin Nera, Presidential Medal of Merit; Maj. Xavier Celestial, Outstanding Achievement Medal; Lt. Col. Edralin Poblete, Organic Officer of the Year; Maj. Chester Guazon, Operationally Controlled Officer of the Year; TSG. Jose Fulay Jr., Organic Enlisted Personnel; TSG. Deoderick Rigon, OpCon Enlisted Personnel of the Year; and Dr. Catherine Bellen, Civilian Employee of the Year.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=862391