Army intelligence officer is GMA's new aide

MANILA, Philippines - President Arroyo has appointed a decorated Army intelligence and infantry officer as her new senior military aide.

Army Col. Rey Leonardo Guerrero, a member of Philippine Military Academy Class of 1984, will replace Brig. Gen. Carlos Clet, who died in the crash of a presidential helicopter along with seven other Malacañang and military officials.

“It’s an honor and a big challenge for me,” Guerrero told The STAR in a telephone interview.

Guerrero and Clet worked together for VIP security operations during the ASEAN Summit in Cebu last year.

Clet died along with appointments secretary Marilou Frostrom, press undersecretary Jose Capadocia, Presidential Management Staff director Perlita Bandayanon, and Clet’s aide and Presidential Security Group (PSG) member Demy Reno, pilots Maj. Rolando Sacatani and Capt. Alvin Alegata, and Air Force Sgt. Roe Gem Perez. – Paolo Romero