MANILA, Feb. 7 (PNA) — Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar joined the launching of the Presidential Security Group’s website aimed at bringing the command closer to the people.
“Today we are launching the PSGTroopers.com as our audience here all knows, PSG Troopers is the official publication of the PSG and PSGTroopers.com is its online counterpart,” Andanar said during the launch of the portal at the PSG Officers’ Clubhouse on Tuesday, February 7 at Malacañan Park.
“I therefore commend you for being abreast with the changing media landscape and keeping up with technology,” he added.
As the President’s close-in security, the PSG members know how unconventional the President is as he defies structure and definition, Andanar said.
“Hindi po de-kahon si Pangulong Duterte. Thus, strategic communication under the Duterte administration has never been as challenging,” he noted.
Noting PSG members are a special group of people, Andanar said they were chosen from thousands of military and police personnel to protect the President because the chief executive trusts them.
Andanar encouraged the PSG, which targets both local and international audience, to help the President push his agenda for genuine change.
“Together, let us help the President as he traverses the road towards a nation without crime, without drugs and without corruption,” he said. “Together, let us deliver what has to be communicated and we thank you for taking the extra step towards understanding.”
Based on the PSG website, the present-day PSG originated from the ragtag squad established by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo around March 1897, when he was elected President of the revolutionary government.
PSG underwent transformations since then but when the late Ferdinand Marcos assumed power, the Presidential Security Agency was expanded to the Presidential Security Command under the late President Diosdado Macapagal.
Former president Corazon Aquino disbanded the Presidential Security Command in 1986 and replaced it with a leaner Presidential Security Group.
During the presidency of Fidel Ramos, a former military man, PSG facilities were improved. The headquarters became a full-fledged camp that had two chapels, a gymnasium and physical fitness room, nursery and children’s playground, K-9 doghouse, apartments for enlisted personnel, a tennis court, rifle range and a house for golf caddies.
President Rodrigo Duterte designated Brig. Gen. Rolando Joselito Bautista as PSG’s 31st commander, who assumed office on July 2, 2016. (Philippine News Agency/JBP/PND/EDS)