PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. commended the Presidential Security Command (PSC) over the weekend, saying they are not only protecting the first family but also the stability of the country.
The president, together with first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, led the celebration of the 128th anniversary of the PSC at Malacañan Park in Manila on Friday.
In his speech, Marcos recognized the PSC's role and sacrifices in keeping not only the safety of the first family but also that of the country’s institutions.
"On a personal note, I can say that not once from the first day that I stepped into Malacañang have I felt anything but safe in your hands," Marcos said.
"Of course, I want to acknowledge what that presence cost you. While we sleep soundly in our beds at night, you are awake, missing precious time with your loved ones, working to ensure that my family and I remain safe. And that is a sacrifice that I take seriously, and one that I carry with deep gratitude," he added.
The president also honored the PSC’s dedication to protecting the stability of the republic and the Filipino people.
"For over the century, the PSC has now served as a security arm of the presidency, protecting not only the Office of the President but also the institutions that keep our democracy strong and our republic stable," Marcos said.
Marcos also stressed the importance of the PSC’s role in the face of evolving security challenges.
During the event, the president also led the recognition of outstanding members of the Security Task Action Group for their exemplary service.
The PSC, formerly known as the Presidential Security Group, is tasked with ensuring the physical security and safety of the president, the first family, and the seat of government at Malacañan Palace.
The armed unit originated from the ragtag squad established by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo around March 1897, when he was elected president of the revolutionary government, according to a statement from the Presidential Communications Office.
It underwent transformations since then, but when the late Ferdinand Marcos Sr. assumed power, it was expanded to the PSC.
In 1986, then-president Corazon Aquino disbanded the command and replaced it with a “leaner” PSG.
In 2023, Marcos reorganized and expanded the presidential security unit from a group to a command, reverting its name to the PSC.
Rear Admiral Andro Val Abayon of the Philippine Navy currently serves as the head of the PSC.
