The Presidential Security Group (PSG) explained that they decided to use the presidential chopper to bring President Marcos to a concert in Bulacan to ensure his safety amid the high volume of people who went to the event.

PSG commander MGen Nelson Morales said this after Marcos attended the concert of British rock band Coldplay, and the presidential chopper was seen outside the Philippine Arena on Friday evening, Jan. 19.

In a statement on Saturday, Jan. 20, Morales said they decided to use the chopper as the number of people posed a security threat to the President.

"Yesterday, the Philippine Arena experienced an unprecedented influx of 40,000 individuals eagerly attending a concert, resulting in unforeseen traffic complications along the route,"

"Recognizing that this traffic situation posed a potential threat to the security of our President, the PSG took decisive action by opting for the presidential chopper," he added.

With this, the PSG chief asked for the public's understanding of the situation.

"This decision not only ensured the safety of our leader but also exemplified our commitment to prioritizing security in the face of unexpected challenges," Morales said.

"Your continued understanding and support for these measures are crucial in maintaining the safety and well-being of our nation's leadership," he added.

Marcos attended the first night of Coldplay's two-night concert at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan on Friday with First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.

A video of at least three choppers outside the venue was also posted online. However, these drew mixed reactions from Filipinos online. Some said the use of the chopper was expected while others criticized it as it was supposedly a waste of taxpayers' money.

The heavy traffic leading to the Philippine Arena got the attention of Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, who praised the audience for braving the traffic just to get to the band's show.

“We’d like to say thank you so much for all of you for coming through the traffic, holy sh*t!” he said.

“I think, you know, we’ve seen some traffic. But I think you have the number one in the world. You’ve come through that bullsh*t to be here,” he added.

The President chuckled and covered his ears and face in response to Martin's remark.

Metro Manila topped the list of 387 metro centers in the 2023 Tomtom Traffic Index. Based on the study, it would take an average of at least 25 minutes to drive for 10 kilometers in the region.