Securing The Most Popularly Elected President

(Speech delivered by BGEN ROLANDO JOSELITO DELIZO BAUTISTA AFP, during the Assumption Ceremony as the Commander, Presidential Security Group on July 1, 2016. This serves as a guide for PSG Troopers on the duration of his stint as Commander.)

Today the PSG makes history as it fulfills its mandate to secure the most popularly elected 16th President of the Republic of the Philippines and our Commander in Chief, a man of humble origin who detests any form of security even while discharging his immediate past duty as the longest sitting Mayor of Davao City, a former Vice Mayor, and a former Congressman.

Today, as I stand before all and humbly accept the designation of Commander, Presidential Security Group (PSG), I thank President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for his trust and confidence in my ability to lead this elite unit. I likewise wish the outgoing PSG Commander, Rear ADM Raul R Ubando AFP all the best in his new assignment.

Our Mission has been clearly defined as the lead agency tasked with providing security for the President and the first family, as well as for visiting heads of States. It is also our responsibility to secure the seat of government plus all the facilities and transportation assets used by the President in carrying out his respective duties. In instances when we are given a directive by the Office of the President, the PSG may assist the PNP and other law enforcement agencies in their anti-organized crime undertakings, a hallmark of President Duterte’s administrative agenda.

The PSG collectively under my leadership shall rise up to the challenge of securing the President according to established and tested security protocols with emphasis on a highly professional, proactive, persevering, and dedicated discharge of duty by all the members of the PSG.

Let the PSG Command Symbol we proudly wear be a constant reminder of our sworn duty, allegiance to our unit, branches of service and our beloved country. Being part of PSG is an honor, each time we leave this gated compound on official duty, let us ask the good Lord to keep our President safe under our watch.

The PSG’s guiding principle under the Duterte administration shall be governed by Section 1 of Article XI of the 1987 Constitution, entitled Accountability of Public Officers which says: “Public Office is a public trust. Public officers and employees must at all times, be accountable to the people, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty, and efficiency; act with patriotism and justice, and lead modest lives.”

A fitting example has been set by no less than the President himself, a simple inauguration that should not hamper nor inconvenience the citizenry, and will not drain the government coffers. Our Commander in Chief’s distinct brand of genuine humility in public service for our country’s 101 million Filipinos as manifested from the days leading to his actual assumption of the Presidency should be part and parcel of the conduct of his people at the Presidential Security Command.

Fellow Officers and the men and women of the PSG, I enlist your whole hearted cooperation and support in working towards the attainment of a harmonious interpersonal relationship among us built on the guiding principles of the PSG: Integrity, Service and Excellence.

Throughout my military career I have looked forward to each and every new assignment as a chance for a positive contribution to the workplace and an opportunity to better myself in the service of God and Country. I have always made it a point, to look at each posting, no matter how grim, as a challenge, for I believe that the success of every endeavor is the sum total of the collective efforts of each and every member of that unit.

Andrew Carnegie stated: “Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.”
Helen Keller said: “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.”

Patrick Lencious reminds us: “Remember, teamwork begins by building trust. And the only way to do that is to overcome our need for invulnerability.”

Norman Shidle said: “A group becomes a team when each member is sure enough of himself and his contribution to praise the skills of others.”

And last but not the least, Tom Wilson said: “Many of us are more capable than some of us, but none of us is as capable as all of us.”

There is no unit or installation in any branch of service that can be totally prepared for any untoward event; hence, the commitment to strive for excellence through preparation, brainstorming, drills and exercises, all these will make us overcome whatever challenges lie ahead.

From today onwards, let us join hands in working towards a shared vision … To transform the PSG into a more cohesive, socially relevant, selfless, disciplined, dedicated and an incorruptible unit … truly worthy of emulation. May God bless us all as we embark on a new chapter in the annals of Philippine history!

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