New PSG chief: Ready to do more for Rody

BAUTISTA

The men and women tasked with protecting the President and his family 24/7 are willing to take an extra mission.

As he assumed command of the Presidential Security Group (PSG), Col. Rolando Bautista said its members could help the Philippine National Police in running after criminals if ordered to do so by President Duterte.

“In instances where we are given a directive by the Office of the President, the PSG may assist the PNP and other law enforcement agencies in their antiorganized crime undertaking, a hallmark of President Duterte’s administrative agenda,” Bautista said in his speech during the turnover rites on Saturday.

Under his command, Bautista said, the PSG would rise to the challenge of securing the President even though the latter was “a man of humble origins who detests any form of security” even when he was Davao City mayor, vice mayor and congressman.

He called on the members of his elite unit to emulate the chief executive’s example, like the way he held his June 30 inauguration inside Malacañang without requiring much public spending and causing any inconvenience to the public.

Bautista took over the PSG from Rear Adm. Raul Ubando. He earlier headed the Joint Task Group Basilan that operated against the Abu Sayyaf terror group.

He also saw action in the anti-insurgency campaign against the New People’s Army and served as UN military observer in East Timor.

Bautista is a member of the Philippine Military Academy’s Class of 1985.