Lawmakers revive proposal to abolish PSG

MANILA, Philippines - Two administration lawmakers revived their proposal to abolish the Presidential Security Group (PSG) and replace it with what they called a highly professionalized civil security organization to be named the Government Protection and Security Service (GPSS).

AKO-Bicol party-list Reps. Christopher Co and Rodel Batocabe filed House Bill 335, which they said would insulate the GPSS from partisan politics while maximizing the organization’s efficiency and effectiveness.

They said the bill is pursuant to the 1987 Constitution, which mandates that the armed forces shall be insulated from partisan politics. It prohibits members of the military from engagement, directly or indirectly, in any partisan political activity, except to vote.

The PSG is currently composed of personnel from various services of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) with headquarters at Malacañang Palace. Also assigned to the PSG are personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP) Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and the Special Action Force (SAF), as well as units from the Coast Guard and Bureau of Fire Protection.

Co said PSG posts are perceived to be the most sought after assignment as they are closest to the seat of power – the presidency.

“Military and police officers and personnel are designated to the PSG, which serves as a springboard for their professional careers,” Co said.

Co said it is not uncommon for military or police personnel assigned to the PSG to be politicized since they are promised high-ranking positions in the AFP or PNP and stay beholden to the officials they have served.

Batocabe said at least three PSG commanders have become chiefs of the Armed Forces and were perceived – rightly or wrongly – to have been appointed because of their closeness to the President.

“This perception should be eradicated as it demoralizes the members of the AFP and weakens public confidence in its military. The creation of an institutionalized civilian agency, independent from the AFP or PNP, ensures that the protective role of the agency – that is, ensuring the safety of national leaders, their families, the Malacañang Palace, and foreign visitors – shall be upheld and given utmost priority,” he said.

The proposal to create the GPSS in place of the PSG was originally filed during the 15th Congress, but due to lack of time, its discussions were halted at the committee level, Batocabe said.

The proposed GPSS shall be under the direction and control of the Office of the President (OP). The GPSS shall be the lead agency in the provision of security for the following: the President; Vice President; Senate President; Speaker of the House; Chief Justice; the First Family; Malacañang and other buildings under the OP.

The bill also provides the GPSS shall be the primary coordinating agency in the provision of security for visiting foreign heads of state or government; distinguished visitors and diplomatic delegates of foreign states of Intergovernmental Organizations (IGO) to the Philippines; and other individuals or events as officially designated by the OP.

The bill provides for the abolition of the PSG, and its powers and functions not consistent with the provision of the proposed law shall be transferred to the GPSS.

The transfer of power and functions shall include all applicable funds and appropriations, records, equipment, property and personnel as may be necessary.

The GPSS shall be headed by a director with the rank of undersecretary who shall be responsible for the general administration and management of the agency.

The director shall be appointed by the President and shall be assisted by deputy directors with the rank of assistant secretary for the following divisions: personnel and fiscal; intelligence; information and communications technology; operations; and special tactics and training.