Do Not Tinker With PSG, Duterte Warns

PRRD misinformed about Senate vaccine probe – Sotto

- Genalyn Kabiling And Vanne Elaine P. Terrazola

President Duterte has appealed to Congress “not to tinker” with the Presidential Security Group (PSG) and force its personnel to testify against their will, defending their recent vaccination against the coronavirus was a matter of “self-preservation.”

Although he denied he was trying to cover up the action of his close-in security team, the President warned of a “little crisis” if PSG personnel are compelled to divulge details about their vaccination. Duterte said he would direct the PSG not to appear in the hearing or “shut up” if the lawmakers insist on meddling in its affairs.

“I would like to call on Congress na hindi naman ako nakikiusap. Ang ano ko lang diretso na salita na (– I am not pleading. I'm just saying it clearly –) do not tinker with the PSG. I’m telling you as President it’s a matter of selfpreservation so hanggang diyan na lang ako. I will not elaborate on it but do not force my hand to meddle into this affair because maybe I will not – I am not so keen about allowing (PSG commander Brig. Gen. Jesus) Durante and the rest of the PSG to testify,” he said in his televised address Monday night.

If the PSG personnel are called to testify in Congress, Duterte said he would tell them “to just shut up” and “invoke the right against self-incrimination.” “Wala kayong makukuha (You won’t get anything),” he said.