President Aquino honors PSG in its 28th Founding Anniversary

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 7): President Aquino honors PSG in its 28th Founding Anniversary

President Benigno S. Aquino III on Friday afternoon honored members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) as it celebrated its 28th Founding Anniversary.

During the event held at the PSG Complex in Malacanang, the President mentioned how the PSG has evolved through time from once being called the Presidential Security Command (PSC).

President Aquino said that the PSC used to have about 15,000 to 20,000 members, while the PSG only had 1,000 to 2,000 members.

He mentioned how the PSG have been with him in each place he went to, including the time he visited each of the places affected by disasters.

“Sa mga pagkakataong ito, kadamay ko ang PSG sa lahat ng oras na tayong naglilingkod sa taong bayan,” President Aquino said.

“Kung nasaan ang pangangailangan ng ating mga 'boss', naroon tayo at magkakasamang naglilingkod,” he added. “Talagang hindi biro ang trabaho ng inyong hanay.”

The President further said that he never felt alone on his journey towards the "straight path" because he knew that the PSG remained to be dedicated to protect not just him and his family, but the institution as a whole.

“Sa kahit anumang pagkakataon...ay kailangan niyong tumutok sa sinumpaan niyong tungkulin sa taong bayan, ang bantayan hindi lamang seguridad ko at ng aking pamilya, kundi ang buong institusyon na ating pinaglilingkuran,” he said.

President Aquino thanked PSG members who were devoted, professional and tireless in their dedication to serve and made a special mention to PSG group commander Commodore Raul Ubando for his leadership.

He said that he treated all of them as colleagues or family with him through thick and thin, rather than his personnel or staff.

“Tama lang naman na kayong nagmamalasakit sa bayan, ay siya namang handugan ng malasakit ng bayan,” President Aquino said.

The President further urged PSG members to work harder until retirement.

“Sa pagbaba ko as puwesto bilang Pangulo (sa 2016), buo ang loob ko na nariyan pa rin kayo sa aking tabi, kasama ko kayong titindig at taas-noong lilingon sa bansa at sasabihing ibang-iba na ang Pilipinas kesa sa dati nating dinatnan,” he said.

After his speech, the PSG offered the President a small memento: A replica of the Presidential convoy.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=623343