It's official, Colonel Ramon Zagala, the current spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), will serve as the next commander of the Presidential Security Group (PSG).
Col. Jorry Baclor, chief of AFP public affairs office (PAO), confirmed the news to the Manila Bulletin on Sunday, June 26.
"Confirmed na si Col. Zagala as acting PSG commander (Col. Zagala is confirmed as the acting PSG commander)," he said in a text message.
As PSG chief, Zagala will be tasked to ensure the safety and security of President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
He will also serve as an acting senior military assistant (SMA) to Marcos Jr., Baclor added.
Zagala will replace outgoing PSG commander, Brig. Gen. Randolph Cabangbang.
However, Zagala's appointment papers have yet to reach the AFP. The AFP has also yet to announce his replacement as the military's spokesperson.
The PSG is the primary agency concerned with providing close-in security and escort to the Philippine president and vice president, their immediate families, former presidents and vice presidents, as well as visiting heads of state.
The development came as the AFP announced the creation of the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG) for Vice President-elect Sara Duterte-Carpio on Saturday.
Zagala is a graduate of the AFP Training Center Officer Candidate School “Balikatan Class of 12” in 1994.
He was a member of the AFP Special Forces and Airborne, and finished Public Affairs Qualification Course in Maryland, United States. He also holds a dgree in AB Political Science at the De La Salle University and a Master’s degree in Military and Defense Studies in Australia.
Prior to being the AFP’s mouthpiece, Zagala also served as the commanding officer of the 28th Infantry “Kamagong” Battalion, and assistant chief of staff for civil military operations of the 10th Infantry Division all in Davao region; chief of the AFP PAO in 2013, and chief of the Philippine Army PAO in 2019.