BY VICTOR REYES and JOCELYN MONTEMAYOR
ARMED Forces spokesman Col. Ramon Zagala will function first commander of the Presidential Safety Group (PSG) below the administration of Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Zagala shall be appearing PSG commander in concurrent capability as Marcos’ senior army assistant (SMA), and an official order on his designations shall be out quickly, Col. Jorry Baclor, chief of the AFP public data workplace, mentioned yesterday.
Zagala’s new assignments will take impact on June 30, the day Marcos will formally assume the presidency, Baclor mentioned.
Zagala is the son of retired Maj. Gen. Rafael Zagala who served as Army chief from 1972 to 1975 throughout the time of Marcos’ father, Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
The PSG, tasked primarily to guard the President and his speedy household, will now have a unit tasked to safe the Vice President.
The army on Saturday introduced the activation of the Vice Presidential Safety Group (VPSG), patterned after the PSG, which shall be accountable for the safety of Vice President-elect Sara Duterte-Carpio and her household. The VPSG was activated on Friday in rites presided by AFP chief Gen. Andres Centino on Friday on the AFP basic headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo. The unit’s first commander is Lt. Col. Rene Giroy.
In the meantime, Marcos reaffirmed his dedication to his predecessor and Sara’s father, President Duterte, that he would proceed sure applications that have been began by the outgoing administration. In his 216th Vlog episode that was uploaded on Saturday night time, Marcos additionally mentioned he once more thanked the President Duterte for his service to the nation, amongst others.
Zagala will take the of Duterte’s final PSG chief, Brig. Gen. Randolph Cabangbang who was named to the put up in August final yr.
Zagala’s father is alleged to be a member of the “Rolex 12” which consists of army and civilian advisers of Marcos Sr. The group supposedly helped within the planning and implementation of martial legislation.
The youthful Zagala was commissioned into the army service in 1994 after commencement from the Officer Candidate College, one of many sources of officers of the Armed Forces.
After turning into an Army officer, Zagala held command and employees positions in models below the Mild Armor Brigade (now Mild Armor Regiment.)
Through the time of President Estrada, Zagala was assigned to the PSG and served as Estrada’s aide de camp till the latter’s ouster from the presidency in January 2001. He later served as firm commander below the Army’s twenty fourth Infantry Battalion.
Amongst his latest assignments are as commander of the Army’s twenty eighth Infantry Battalion, assistant chief of employees for the civil army officer of the Army’s tenth Infantry Division, and chief of the Army public affairs.
Zagala was named AFP spokesman final yr.
EXPANDED PSG
Baclor mentioned in activating the VPSG, the army solely expanded the Vice Presidential Safety Detachment (VPSD) which is was below the AFP Normal Headquarters and Headquarters Service Command.
“What we did is we expanded it. From a detachment, it was upgraded to a gaggle. It’s now a separate unit below the AFP… Extra males have been added (to the group),” Baclor of the VPSG, a battalion-size unit. A battalion consists of round 500 males.
Baclor mentioned the growth of the VPSD to VPSG was deliberate way back. He mentioned the army management proposed the transfer to Protection Secretary Delfin Lorenzana who accepted it just lately.
Baclor mentioned the VPSD lacks personnel, forcing different army models on the bottom to offer troopers to safe the Vice President each time she or he visits the provinces.
“It disrupts the conventional operations of the models. Now that its expanded, there is no such thing as a longer a have to request (troopers to safe the Vice President’s go to). The group can now deal with the safety (of the Vice President),” mentioned Baclor.
Baclor mentioned the AFP didn’t increase the VPSD to VPSG simply because the presidential daughter is the incoming vp.
“It was deliberate way back, its a product of an intensive examine, deliberations. It’s not related to the Vice President Sara’s assumption (as Vice President), it was deliberate way back,” he mentioned.
SUPPORT
Marcos, in his Vlog on Saturday night time, mentioned he once more thanked the outgoing President not only for his service to the nation but additionally for his help to his daughter and even to him throughout the marketing campaign interval .
The elder Duterte endorsed solely Sara’s candidacy and didn’t help any presidential guess.
Previous to the elections, he had described a presidential candidate as having weak management character and somebody who used unlawful medication.
Marcos late final yr, whereas claiming that he doesn’t really feel alluded to, took a drug take a look at and confirmed adverse outcomes to the general public.
On a number of events throughout the marketing campaign and after his victory, Marcos has mentioned he needs to proceed among the infrastructure initiatives below the Construct, Construct, Construct program of the Duterte authorities whereas Sara mentioned she needs to maintain her father’s marketing campaign in opposition to unlawful medication.
ADJUSTMENTS
Marcos mentioned his household is making ready for the transition to the subsequent administration.
He mentioned his spouse Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos has packed up her issues at her legislation agency, M & Associates, as she prepares for her new position as first woman.
“Humingi ako ng paumanhin sa kanya kasi napilitan siyang gawin ito, pero sabi ko sa kanya, that is solely the start of a brand new chapter (I apologized to her as a result of she had to do that, however I instructed her, that is solely the start of a brand new chapter),” he mentioned referring to Araneta-Marcos’ setting apart her legislation profession for now.
Marcos mentioned his two younger sons Simon and Vince are getting themselves used to the thought of getting safety wherever they go, whereas his eldest son, Sandro, is a bit excited as he prepares to hitch the Home of Representatives as a “neophyte congressman.”
Marcos mentioned he spent the previous week making ready for his inauguration and and his Cupboard. Marcos will function agriculture secretary and Sara Duterte as training secretary. He has named numerous appointees.
