THE Presidential Security Group (PSG) admitted Wednesday, November 21, that it was the brains behind the unannounced closure of some roads in Metro Manila to pave the way for the state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Captain Zeerah Blanche Lucrecia, PSG spokesperson, said the government, serving as host to Xi, merely wanted to make sure that it would be able to give the Chinese leader the "necessary hospitality and security" during his two-day state visit.
"In connection with the visit, we appeal to the understanding of those may have been affected," Lucrecia said in a statement sent to Palace reporters.
"As host to our State guest, we provided the necessary hospitality and security to ensure the smooth flow of their movement," she added.
Her statement came after photos of traffic gridlock and people being forced to walk along the road en route to the airport in Pasay City surfaced on social media on Tuesday, November 20, the day Xi arrived in Manila.
The City of Manila was the only area covered by the road closures for Xi's two-day stay in Manila, based on the initial traffic advisory released by Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) ahead of Chinese leader's arrival.
The MMDA's list of road closures made public on November 19 did not include any roads heading to the airport in Pasay City.
On Tuesday, the MMDA announced the closure of some roads in the Bonifacio Global City (BGC) and Taguig City for 30 minutes to give way for Xi's arrival. Xi stayed at the Shangri-La Hotel in BGC during his two-day state visit.
The agency, however, did not specify the specific roads that will be closed in BGC and Taguig City.
Lucrecia said the PSG, tasked to ensure Xi's security, had requested assistance from the MMDA and the Philippine National Police.
"In connection with the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Presidential Security Group had an array of tasks for its security preparations, [and] that includes Route Security and Traffic Management, in which case. We (PSG) have requested assistance from the PNP and the MMDA," she said.
"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 added. (SunStar Philippines)