Twenty (20) personnel composed of Officers and Enlisted Personnel from the different Organic and OpCon Units of PSG completed the seminar on the Installation and Operation of UHF GM-300 Base and GP-308 Handheld Radios. The orientation was held at the Intramuros Room on 16 September 2010 facilitated by the Presidential Communications and Computer Battalion (PCCBn).

The purpose of the orientation is to provide security personnel with the basic knowledge and skills needed to operate and maintain the UHF 400 MHz radios for better communications support to presidential engagements. Incidentally, the communication equipment mentioned above was used by the Delegation Advance Party (DAP) and Main Body Delegation during the engagements of President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III in San Francisco and New York, USA from 20-28 September 2010.

Practical exercises on different scenarios were the highlights of the seminar. Trainees were ably guided by their lecturers, SMS Dominador F Corbito PA, MSg Manuel Cordova PA, MSg Mario F Palattao PA, and Sgt Michael C Cabanes PAF.

This program is part of the PCCBn’s commitment to support the Command’s goal to deliver successful security operations.  

Behind the success of every fluvial parade along Pasig River are the hardworking men and women of the Coast Guard Station Pasig (CGSP) who always participate and marshal these activities.

  One good example is the pilgrimage of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, called “Viva La Virgin De La Peñafrancia” held last 12 September 2010. Traditionally, the Our Lady of Peñafrancia holy statue is travelled from Bicol to Manila (Guadalupe Church), organized and participated by numerous devotees.

The devotees of Our Lady of Peñafrancia had a procession from Guadalupe Ferry Station to Escolta Ferry Station. This year’s fluvial parade was escorted and marshaled by two (2) Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) with standby divers and CGSP personnel. Other personnel were deployed to secure the barge that carried hundreds of devotees. The event culminated at Escolta Church where a mass was offered.

As always, CGSP under the Presidential Security Group was happy to contribute to the success of the festivity.

The class named “75 Shields” was composed of twenty (20) officers and forty-eight (48) Enlisted Personnel. The course began on 20 September 2010. They underwent a five-week training which involved walking formation, embussing and debussing, intelligence operations, weapons training, and Field Training Exercise (FTX).

 During the closing, the graduates received their well-deserved Certificate of Training while the best in class were awarded special recognitions.

 ORDER OF MERIT

 Course Proficiency Award:

Nr 1  LTC ERICK Q ESCARCHA PAF

Nr 2 LTC ANTONIO F NAFARRETE (GSC) PA

Nr 3  PO2 Jerwin Mark C Battung PNP 

 Physical Proficiency Award:

LTC RICARDO D PETROLA PN(M)

 Markmanship Award:

Sharpshooter Nr 1 “Class Top Gun”     LTC ERICK Q ESCARCHA PAF

Sharpshooter Nr 2                                  Sgt Ariel B Ballesteros PA 

Sharpshooter Nr 2                                  PSI MAGILAS S SALVACION PNP

Man Vs Man Champion                          Sgt Ariel B Ballesteros PA 

Best Team:

Team VIII   

          MAJ ALVIN G IYOG PA

          MAJ BERNARDO G ROCIO PA

          PI CESAR Y OFRECIO PNP

          MSg Cesar A Galang Jr PA

          SSg Juevesan P Fontanilla PA

          SPO2 Ferdinand G Cabote PNP

          Sgt Redenson A Tarun PN (M)

          Cpl Warlito V Mayo PA

          Cpl Oscar A Sta Isabel PA

The Balangiga Bells are owned by the Diocese of Borongan, Eastern Samar. It was taken by the United States Forces following the Balangiga incident in 1901. The First Bell has a mouth diameter of 31 ½ inches and 30 inches in height. It bears the Augustinian emblem with an “R. Francisco” inscription. The Second Bell probably acquired in 1889 bears the Franciscan emblem with an inscription of the name, “Fr. Agustin Delgado.” The mouth of the bell has a diameter of 27 ¾ inches and 27 ½ inches in height. These bells are now in Wyoming, USA. The third bell acquired by Fr. Bernardo Aparecio with estimated size of 23-24 inches in height and mouth diameter of 20 inches is now kept at the 9th United States Infantry Regiment in Cap Red Cloud, South Korea.

The worst defeat of the United States Army since the battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876 happened in Balangiga, Eastern Samar. The Filipinos regard the attack as one of their bravest in the war against superior forces of the US Army.

In the Filipino culture, bells are used to signal the beginning of a mass. At six in the evening everybody stops and faces towards the direction of the church for the Angelus. At twelve the bell rings for prayer, lunch and time for rest. At eight in the evening the bell rings for prayer for the poor souls in purgatory. Practically the bell is the clock of the town. It was likewise useful when warning people during calamities like fire. According to the history, the Bells of Balangiga were tolled to signal the surprised attack by the Filipino forces while the Americans were eating breakfast.

The church, mortuary and bell are interconnected when we talk about death. Church is where last rite of the Christian burial is being administered by the priest for the departing soul. While on the wake waiting for the burial and for the family to arrive the coffin is placed in the mortuary. At funeral mass the bell toiled to inform the community to pray for a departing soul.

To give honor to the Filipino patriots who gave up their lives for total independence of the New Republic, the PSG Mortuary will be called as “Balangiga Hall.”

Notwithstanding the heavy rains caused by typhoon Juan, the Special Reaction Unit (SRU) successfully conducted the Close Quarter Battle (CQB) Training from 19 to 21 October 2010, at the DND Arsenal in Limay, Bataan. The objective of the said training is for the participants to enhance their skills and capability in CQB.

The trainees were divided into two groups composed of forty (40) assaulters, three (3) Officers and thirty-seven (37) Enlisted Personnel.

On the first day, the group could only do the Zeroing of Rifle due to the typhoon. The training continued on the second day with six activities; Ball and Dummy, Basic Pistol Markmanship, Basic Rifle Markmanship, Transition Drill, Malfunction Drill, and Stress Test. Participants were grouped into four. Two more drills were performed on the last day; the Shooting Behind the Barricade and Room Entry. Each group was given a chance to engage in multiple targets while moving.

Despite the difficult conditions the training was a success, proving that not even a typhoon could deter the unit from getting its job done.

With the advent of the transition of Command, this unit cordially invited the barangay chairmen of the Malacañang League of Barangays (MALBAR) to join in the PG Socials on 16 July 2010 at the open grounds HHC. The Commander, PSG, COL RAMON MATEO U DIZON PA(GSC) graced the occasion. It was a very fruitful acitivity yielding the exchange of thoughts and ideas, and able to enhance good relationship with the MALBAR Chairmen. Likewise it provided a chance for the newly reported officers and enlisted personnel to get to know the old members of the unit.    

In the following months, PG was involved in significant activities like the Tree Planting activity conducted at Ipo Dam Watershed in Norzagaray, Bulacan on 31 of July 2010. Said cause was initiated by the Command under the supervision of the Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for CMO, G7. The unit also graced the invitation of La Consolacion College of Manila’s (LCCM) Executive President, Sister Imelda Mora and Executive Vice President, Dr Ronald M Pastrana to a friendly luncheon meeting with the LCCM staff and faculty. The aim of this undertaking is to reach out to students who will someday be young professionals and to improve relationships towards the common good. The meeting involved discussion on the role of both parties in terms of maintaing the sanctity and concord of the Mendiola area. The outcome was the removal of the container vans and concertina wires to promote aclean and non-violent surroundings at both the Palace Complex and the University row.

Another activity which the PG took involvement of is the Basketball Tournament initiated by the St. Jude Catholic School. The opening ceremony was conducted last 19 September 2010. Games are held  at the St. Jude wooden Gym participated by eleven (11) teams from different barangays and students of St. Jude.

In like manner, PG provided assistance to the 724th Special Operation Squadron during the conduct of Free Eye Cataract Check-up on 26 September. The activity was sponsored by the United Doctors Medical Center Manila (UDMC) and joined by 106 patients. 

 Another substantial activity was the conduct of Dialogue with MALBAR vendors held last 02 October at the 2nd Guard Company Kiosk. As a result, the perennial problem on traffic congestion was minimized specially during peak hours. It was also agreed upon that only legitimate MALBAR residents will be allowed to sell their goods within the vicinity of St. Jude Church, this is to help rightful barangay constituents to earn without competing from the outsiders. 

Furthermore, the unit successfully contributed as security escorts during the conduct of motorcade in celebration of the Saint Jude Fiesta on 17 October. Noteworthy is that no untoward incident occurred.

With all of these, the Presidential Guards can proudly say that  it has contributed in the pursuit to peace and prosperity within the PG’s area of responsibility.

Inspired by the call to support the clean-up of the Pasig River, fifty-six (56) personnel joined the “10-10-10 Run for Pasig River” last 10 October 2010. The Team PSG, headed by MAJ PRIMITIVO CORPUZ JAGS joined the 10-kilometer race with over 116,084 runners including some well-known local celebrities like Saranggani Representative and the country’s Pambansang Kamao, Congressman Manny Pacquiao, matinee idol, Piolo Pascual, and ABS-CBN reporter, Dyan Castillejo.

The 10-10-10 Run was a collaborated effort among ABS-CBN Foundation’s Kapit-Bisig Para sa Ilog Pasig (KBPIP), some schools, the Philippine Army, Philippine National Police, corporate donors, NGO’s, media, and the government.

This activity which aims to promote awareness had four categories: 3k, 5k, 10k, and 21k. The four starting points were SM Marikina (21K), Ayala Avenue corner Makati Avenue (10k), Star City in Pasay (5k), and Bayshore Boulevard, SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City (3k).

The race culminated at the SM Mall of Asia where all participants including the Team PSG, received a symbolic bracelet made of recycled materials.

This 10-10-10 Run just set a new World Guiness’ record for having the largest number of participant in a foot race, surpassing the previous record of 110,000 runners of the “Bay to Breakers” Race in San Francisco, California in 1988.

The PSG Basketball Tournament opened last 26 October 2010 at the PSG Gymnasium with the Deputy Group Commander, CAPT RAUL UBANDO (GSC) PN as presiding officer. Among the units that participated were the 1st Provisional Company (1st Prov Coy), 11th Mechanized Infantry Company (11th MIC), AT-25, Coast Guard Station Pasig (CGSP), Headquarters & Headquarters Service Battalion (HHSBn), Manila Police District Field Force (MPDFF), PNP Special Action Force (SAF), Presidential Communications and Computer Battalion (PCCBn), Presidential Escorts (PE), Presidential Guards (PG), Presidential Intelligence Company (PIC), Presidential Police Unit (PPU), PSG Training School (PTS), Security Battalion (SBn), 724th Special Operations Wing (SPOW), and Special Reaction Unit (SRU).

Each team, fronted by their respective muses, marched inside the gym in the first part of the ceremony. As soon as everyone settled, the Group Chaplain, MAJ VICENTE JOSE C VERA IV CHS called for a moment of silence for the invocation. Welcome remarks were then delivered by the Assistant Chief of Staff for Personnel, G1, LTC ERICK Q ESCARCHA PAF.

After his little speech where he encouraged everyone to practice good sportsmanship, the Deputy Commander proceeded to the center of the court to lead the ceremonial toast.

The tournament will end on 13 December 2010.