Decorated intelligence officer, NPA hunter is new PSG chief

MANILA, Philippines - President Arroyo appointed yesterday a decorated intelligence officer and a communist rebel hunter from the Army as the new commander of the elite Presidential Security Group (PSG).

Col. Jonas Sumagaysay, deputy commander of the Army’s 502nd brigade in the Cordillera region, formally took over his post as the new PSG chief replacing Brig. Gen. Celedonio Boquiren who retired today upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56.

Boquiren turned over his command to Sumagaysay in traditional military fashion in Malacañang presided over by Armed Forces chief Gen. Victor Ibrado.

“The President is very grateful for (Boquiren’s) efficient and professional service and dedication to duty for the country,” Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said in a news briefing in Mactan, Cebu.

Sumagaysay is a member of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1981.

He served as director for operations of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) before becoming the chief of staff of then military intelligence chief Vice Admiral Tirso Danga in 2003.

Sumagaysay also served as defense and armed forces attaché South Korea in 2003.

He formerly headed Task Force Cebu and became commander of the Army’s 78th Infantry Battalion in the province.

“Sumagaysay is one of the best intelligence officers in the Armed Forces,” Remonde said. “He’s soft spoken, but very dedicated and loyal.”

Remonde described the Army officer as “very easy to get along with, mild-mannered but decisive in all his actions.”

“Those traits are among the main considerations why he (Sumagaysay) was chosen by the President,” Remonde said.

“All those traits are necessary to become a good PSG commander to protect the seat of government, in dealing with the Office of the Press Secretary, the media and other sectors of the public,” he said.

Remonde said Sumagaysay is likely to serve until the end of Mrs. Arroyo’s term in June 2010 next year.