Malacañang apologizes over 'withdrawal' of Cory PSG men
(UPDATE 2:58 p.m.) Malacañang apologized Monday over an apparent foul-up in the security detail of former president Corazon Aquino, which her youngest daughter Kris Aquino-Yap revealed in a tearful television interview Sunday.
Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, who is with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in New York,
said the Palace is investigating the matter.
"We would like to apologize to the family for any inconvenience or any misunderstanding it has caused," he said in an interview on dzXL.
On Sunday, Mrs. Aquino’s youngest daughter Kris Aquino-Yap said the government tried to dissolve her mother’s security last July. She identified the security men only as Mel and Kris.
At that time, Mrs. Aquino was still confined at the Makati Medical Center. She died Saturday of cardiorespiratory arrest after battling colon cancer for more than a year.
Malacañang blamed the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), saying there was a "misunderstanding" as security personnel had to renew their appointments.
“Pina-explain namin ang AFP when we learned [about] that issue. Sabi ng AFP ang security detail may taning na 6 months to 1 year. Pagkatapos ng tour of duty either i-reappoint o papalitan. Medyo na-misunderstand ng pamilya Aquino ito. Humihingi kami ng pag-unawa at hinihiling namin na 'wag nang banggitin ang issue na ito," Remonde said.
(We asked the Armed Forces to explain when we learned about that issue. It said security personnel have a tour of duty between six months to one year. After that, they are either reappointed or replaced. So the family may have misunderstood the matter. We ask for their understanding and appeal to them not to bring up the matter anymore.)
Change in units
In an interview with reporters at the Manila Cathedral, where the remains of Mrs. Aquino were brought Monday, AFP Chief of Staff General Victor Ibrado said there was no withdrawal of security, only "a change in units" with those from Malacañang replaced by personnel from Camp Crame.
PNP spokesman P/S Supt. Leonardo Espina added that the three close-in personnel from Police Security and Protection Group (PSPG) assigned to Mrs. Aquino remained on duty until the former president passed away Saturday.
PSPG Director Chief Superintendent Lina Sarmiento said: "As former head of state, Mrs. Aquino was entitled to a security detail and the PSPG provided her three close-in security personnel."
But he said there was an administrative reorganization in the PSPG, and the 34 personnel assigned with the Presidential Protection Unit (PPU) were reassigned to the PSPG's Protection and Escort Unit (PEU).
“Despite this, however, all 34 PSPG personnel affected by the administrative reorganization remained on detail with their respective VIP protectees," said Sarmiento.
Senate investigation
Meanwhile, senate defense committee chairman Rodolfo Biazon said he is considering filing a resolution to look into the incident, saying all former presidents are entitled to security.
“Naku, naku. Titingnan natin yan. Siguro kailangan maka-file ng resolution at tignan kung anong nangyari talaga (Oh, oh. We’ll look into that. I may have to file a resolution to get to the bottom of this)," Biazon, who served as Armed Forces chief of staff under Mrs. Aquino, said in an interview on dzXL radio.
He said even former military chiefs are authorized to have at least two security personnel “Lalo na ang pangulo. Siguro dapat maipaliwanag ng may kapangyarihan ang nangyaring ito (Former presidents are much more entitled to such security. Those responsible should explain this)," Biazon said.
He added that the Presidential Security Group (PSG) should explain the matter, as it is held accountable if something happens to a former president.
Biazon said the Senate defense committee may take up the investigation because "we are talking of security," and the PSG is supervised by the Department of National Defense.
"As a matter of fact ang budget niyan galing sa budget ng Department of National Defense (The PSG’s budget comes from the DND)," he said. - GMANews.TV
Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, who is with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in New York,
said the Palace is investigating the matter.
"We would like to apologize to the family for any inconvenience or any misunderstanding it has caused," he said in an interview on dzXL.
On Sunday, Mrs. Aquino’s youngest daughter Kris Aquino-Yap said the government tried to dissolve her mother’s security last July. She identified the security men only as Mel and Kris.
At that time, Mrs. Aquino was still confined at the Makati Medical Center. She died Saturday of cardiorespiratory arrest after battling colon cancer for more than a year.
Malacañang blamed the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), saying there was a "misunderstanding" as security personnel had to renew their appointments.
“Pina-explain namin ang AFP when we learned [about] that issue. Sabi ng AFP ang security detail may taning na 6 months to 1 year. Pagkatapos ng tour of duty either i-reappoint o papalitan. Medyo na-misunderstand ng pamilya Aquino ito. Humihingi kami ng pag-unawa at hinihiling namin na 'wag nang banggitin ang issue na ito," Remonde said.
(We asked the Armed Forces to explain when we learned about that issue. It said security personnel have a tour of duty between six months to one year. After that, they are either reappointed or replaced. So the family may have misunderstood the matter. We ask for their understanding and appeal to them not to bring up the matter anymore.)
Change in units
In an interview with reporters at the Manila Cathedral, where the remains of Mrs. Aquino were brought Monday, AFP Chief of Staff General Victor Ibrado said there was no withdrawal of security, only "a change in units" with those from Malacañang replaced by personnel from Camp Crame.
PNP spokesman P/S Supt. Leonardo Espina added that the three close-in personnel from Police Security and Protection Group (PSPG) assigned to Mrs. Aquino remained on duty until the former president passed away Saturday.
PSPG Director Chief Superintendent Lina Sarmiento said: "As former head of state, Mrs. Aquino was entitled to a security detail and the PSPG provided her three close-in security personnel."
But he said there was an administrative reorganization in the PSPG, and the 34 personnel assigned with the Presidential Protection Unit (PPU) were reassigned to the PSPG's Protection and Escort Unit (PEU).
“Despite this, however, all 34 PSPG personnel affected by the administrative reorganization remained on detail with their respective VIP protectees," said Sarmiento.
Senate investigation
Meanwhile, senate defense committee chairman Rodolfo Biazon said he is considering filing a resolution to look into the incident, saying all former presidents are entitled to security.
“Naku, naku. Titingnan natin yan. Siguro kailangan maka-file ng resolution at tignan kung anong nangyari talaga (Oh, oh. We’ll look into that. I may have to file a resolution to get to the bottom of this)," Biazon, who served as Armed Forces chief of staff under Mrs. Aquino, said in an interview on dzXL radio.
He said even former military chiefs are authorized to have at least two security personnel “Lalo na ang pangulo. Siguro dapat maipaliwanag ng may kapangyarihan ang nangyaring ito (Former presidents are much more entitled to such security. Those responsible should explain this)," Biazon said.
He added that the Presidential Security Group (PSG) should explain the matter, as it is held accountable if something happens to a former president.
Biazon said the Senate defense committee may take up the investigation because "we are talking of security," and the PSG is supervised by the Department of National Defense.
"As a matter of fact ang budget niyan galing sa budget ng Department of National Defense (The PSG’s budget comes from the DND)," he said. - GMANews.TV
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