Palace creates crisis war room
MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino has created the Presidential Situation Room (PSR), a command center that will give the chief executive intelligence support during emergencies or crisis situations.
Through Administrative Order 2, Mr. Aquino allocated an initial amount of P5.5 million to form and equip the office. The PSR will be run by an executive director who will report directly to National Security Adviser Cesar Garcia, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. and Presidential Management Staff Secretary Julia Abad.
The initial budget for the PSR would come from the budget of the Office of the President. The National Security Council Secretariat was also directed to include in its annual appropriations succeeding budgetary support for the PSR.
Malacañang said that as commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Mr. Aquino should have immediate access to information on events affecting national security so he could respond immediately.
The PSR would be responsible for monitoring events that threaten national security, as well as diplomatic and political ties. It would likewise be the primary monitoring and communications center in Malacañang on classified information.
It would also provide current intelligence support to the President, the Executive Secretary, the National Security Adviser and the Secretary of the Presidential Management Staff.
The PSR will likewise coordinate the collection, verification, and evaluation of highly sensitive information affecting national security.
Other agencies tasked to provide support to the PSR are the intelligence units of the AFP and the Philippine National Police, the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency and representatives from Mr. Aquino’s Communications Group, who will help in manning the PSR.
The President had been criticized for being out of reach during the Aug. 23 hostage-taking incident that claimed the lives of eight Hong Kong tourists.
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