PSG is my shield vs the corrupt—Aquino

President Benigno Aquino III INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday expressed confidence the Presidential Security Group (PSG) would be able to protect him from certain groups that wanted to ease him out of office and stop him from instituting reforms in government.

Speaking at the 26th anniversary of the PSG, Mr. Aquino said the elite force could “shield” him from these groups pushing for a return to a corrupt system of government.

The Chief Executive said his administration was slowly succeeding in implementing reforms and bringing back the public’s trust in the government.

“But there are those who want a return to the old system where they would earn lots of money. And because they know I won’t allow this, they want me out of the scene so that no one would pursue them,” Mr. Aquino said.

The President said he was determined to institute reforms “because the PSG is with me.”

Mr. Aquino said the PSG was “key” to his ability to perform his job of making the lives of the people better.

“(The PSG) serves as my shield against those attempting to block our bid to make changes,” he said.

Malacañang, meanwhile, clarified there was no new threat against the President.

“These are the same threats that were already known to the President even before he assumed office,” said deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte in a text message.

“The PSG continues to render the highest level of security for President Aquino on a round-the-clock basis,” Valte said.

The President thanked the PSG for its many sacrifices through the years, including the time in 1987 when three members lost their lives while protecting him during one of the coup attempts against his late mother, President Corazon Aquino.

Mr. Aquino attributed the change in the image of the PSG from a feared group during the Marcos regime to that of a government partner in public service to its commander during his mother’s term, now Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin. Christine O. Avendaño