PSG WAS CORRECT IN TIGHTENING DUTERTE’S SECURITY – DELA ROSA

If the Pres­i­den­tial Se­cu­rity Group (PSG) believes that security measures for President Rodrigo Duterte should be tightened, then they should be allowed to take the necessary precautions to protect the President.

This is what to administration senatorial bet and former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Bato dela Rosa thinks.

Dela Rosa on Thursday said the PSG was correct in not taking threats against the President’s life lightly.

“They are in the best position to assess the threats to the President’s life.”

“Tama si PSG Chief (Brig. Gen. Jose Eriel Niem­bra); kung may mga report ng threat sa buhay ni Presidente, dapat lang higpitin nila ang security sa mga event nya,” said the former national police chief.

“Ika nga, better safe than sorry. Ang PSG ang nakakaalam kung may mga banta sa buhay ni Presidente. They are in the best position to assess the threats to the President’s life. If they believe additional measures are needed to protect the President then they should be allowed to implement them,” added Dela Rosa.

The PSG introduced new se­cu­rity mea­sures for the Pres­i­dent and installed a plate of bul­let­proof glass in front of him at the Par­tido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan campaign rally at Barangay Potrero in Mal­abon City on Tues­day night.

Duterte jokingly referred to the pro­tec­tive glass as a “pic­ture frame,” explaining that he was obligated to follow the PSG’s new security protocols.

“If they believe additional measures are needed to protect the President then they should be allowed to implement them.”

According to the President, “I can­not or­der the PSG about the se­cu­rity setup, be­cause they will still pre­vail. Some­one wants to kill me.”

PSG Chief Brig. Gen. Niem­bra said that the PSG “ac­knowl­edges the need to bal­ance [his] se­cu­rity and ac­ces­si­bil­ity” especially given the President’s desire to reach out to the people.

Dela Rosa said that the increasing number of the President’s public appearances have increased the opportunities of harm against him. But Dela Rosa believes the President will not be intimidated by any threats on his life.

“Matapang yan si Presidente. Walang kinakatakutan, walang inuurungan. Lalabas at lalabas yan para makasama ang taumbayan,” stressed the senatorial candidate from Mindanao.

“But I am glad he is heeding the advice of the PSG. Importante si Presidente at marami pa syang magagandang plano at programa para sa bayan. Lahat ng pwedeng gawin para i-secure sya dapat gawin.”