PSG, too, gets new chief

President Arroyo gets a new security chief as Gen. Delfin Bangit moves on for a long delayed "promotion."

Bangit will be replaced by Air Force Col. Romeo Prestoza, deputy chief of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP). Bangit will turn over his post as head of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) to Prestoza in simple ceremonies at 2 p.m. today.

Presidential chief of staff Michael Defensor was quick to say that there was no controversy in the transfer of Bangit, who would be assigned to the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division at Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal.

Bangit himself confirmed that Prestoza would take over his position.

Defensor said Prestoza had been "phasing in" the last few weeks and that Bangit already had a despedida (going away) party Monday night, during which his men paid him tribute.

"It has been quite some time that General Bangit has been here (as PSG chief.) It is time for him to move up and get promoted," Defensor said.

The moving out of the President’s chief security officer had been laden with controversy especially with the reported restiveness in the military.

But authorities said the military was solidly behind the President as their commander-in-chief and that the officers would just have to follow a regular reshuffle.

Prestoza belongs to the Philippine Military Academy Class ’78. He earned some units for a master’s degree in public administration at the University of the Philippines in Pampanga.

He served as chief of the operations division of the task force on anti-smuggling, or "TF Aduana," and commander of the anti-kidnapping task force of ISAFP.

Prestoza is the recipient of three Distinguished Service stars and three others pending approval; seven Bronze Cross medals; 24 military merit medals; one military merit medal with bronze spearhead device; 10 military commendation medals; six other medals and ribbons; 34 letters of commendation; one distinguished graduate award and three letters of appreciation.

He was awarded an Outstanding Achievement Medal on July 16, 2000 and was also recommended for meritorious promotion in 2000, 2001 and 2002.

Prestoza is married to the former Lilian Obillo, with whom he has three children. — Aurea Calica