PSG chief among top posts in AFP reshuffle
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos recognizes the services by Brigadier General Ramon Zagala, who will now move from being head of Presidential Security group to Commander of the Civil Relations Office of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
President Marcos on Wednesday inducted a new commander of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) in Brig. Gen. Jesus Nelson Morales, former deputy commander of the Philippine Air Force Air Logistics Command, as part of a reshuffle of top positions in the military.
Morales, who was appointed on Oct. 16, replaced Brig. Gen. Ramon Zagala, who was named chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Civil Relations Service.
The AFP announced the PSG change of command on Wednesday as part of new assignments for high-ranking officials.
The AFP inspector general, Lt. Gen. William Gonzales, will be the new commander of the Western Mindanao Command. He will be replaced by Maj. Gen. Steve Crespillo.
Maj. Gen. Gabriel Viray III was named commander of the 1st Infantry Division and will be replaced as deputy chief of staff for civil-military operations by Brig. Gen. Arvin Lagamon, the former commander of the AFP Civil Relations Service.
Brig. Gen. Edmundo Peralta was named head of the Intelligence Service of the AFP during a change of command ceremony on Wednesday, presided by AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr.
The President, on the other hand, presided over the assumption of command of Morales, who had previously served as helicopter pilot of former Presidents Joseph Estrada and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo under the 250th Presidential Airlift Wing.
‘Safe and sound’
Morales will be replaced at the PAF Air Logistics Command by Brig. Gen. Aldrin Annani, who in turn will be succeeded by Col. Loreto Pasamonte.
In his speech during the turnover ceremony at the PSG Park in Malacañang, the President thanked Zagala for helping him “ensure that my first and most crucial year in the presidency has been safe and sound.”
Despite his short stint as PSG commander, Mr. Marcos said Zagala had a “successful tour of duty” as PSG commander, adding that Zagala’s leadership had kept him, the first family visiting former dignitaries and foreign presidents “safe and away from any serious threats to human or national security.”
“You have also maintained and guarded the PSG’s distinction as one of the best protectors of the land, worthy to preserve the Presidency as a stern and reliable institution,” the President said.
