PSG on road closures during Xi visit: It’s the call of PNP, MMDA

The Presidential Security Group (PSG)  said Wednesday the implementation of road closures in Metro Manila that caused traffic jams during the state visit of Chinaese President Xi Jinping was the call of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

MMDA spokesperson Celine Pialago said earlier in the day that they were only following PSG’s instructions on road closures which resulted in massive gridlock that disrupted the flow of traffic to and from the airport and in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, which hosts the hotel where Xi stayed for his two-day state visit.

Photos of commuters being forced to walk along a highway with their suitcases apparently to avoid missing flights also circulated online.

“In connection with the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Presidential Security Group had an array of tasks for its security preparations; that includes route security and traffic management, in which case, we have requested assistance from the PNP and the MMDA,” PSG spokesperson Captain Zeerah Blanche Lucrecia said in a statement.

“As to its implementation and how they accomplish such task, it’s their call and would involve their concept of operations, to ensure that the designated route/s is/are secured.”

Lucrecia nonetheless appealed for the understanding of those who may have been affected by the road closures.

“As host to our state guest, we provided the necessary hospitality and security to ensure the smooth flow of their movement,” she said.

Xi concluded his historic state visit on Wednesday, the first by a Chinese leader in 13 years. — Virgil Lopez/RSJ, GMA News