Screengrab from RTVM
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� With or without an outstanding threat, the Presidential Security Group (PSG) is mandated to implement stiff security protocols to ensure the safety of the President, according to PSG Commander Brig. Gen. Jose Eriel Niembra.
Niembra issued the statement on Wednesday after President Rodrigo Duterte spoke behind a bullet-proof glass during a campaign rally of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino鈥揕akas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) in Malabon City.
Niembra also explained that the PSG decided to put bullet-proof glass on the presidential podium because the activity was held in an open area.
鈥淲hilst our President wanted to have a close encounter and dialogues with the people, PSG acknowledges the need to balance (the) security and accessibility of the President,鈥� he added.
During the event on Tuesday night, Duterte said that someone wants to kill him, though he did not elaborate.
READ: 鈥楽omeone wants to kill me,鈥� Duterte says at Malabon rally
Duterte also lamented that he had no 鈥渃ontrol鈥� over the security arrangements prepared by his security.
鈥淎lam mo ha, itong picture frame na ito ha iyon ang hindi ko na kontrolado. Sumama man ang loob ko, magalit ako, hindi ko mautusan ang security setup ng PSG, presidential guards, kasi sila talaga ang masunod,鈥� he said.
(You know, this picture frame is beyond my control. Even if I don鈥檛 want it, I can鈥檛 order the PSG, the presidential guards. We need to follow them.)
鈥淣oong bago pa ako, I kind of insisted na 鈥榶ung akin ang masunod kasi ang mga tao po ay hindi na nakakapaglapit sa akin. Eh, sanay na ako 鈥榶ung mayor tuloy-tuloy ako, ine-embrace ko sila. Lalo na kung maraming babae, talagang natatagalan ako,鈥� he added.
(When I was new, I insisted that they follow me because the people can no longer come near me. I鈥檓 used to embracing them when I was mayor, especially if there are many women.) /ee