OFF TO PSG. Colonel
Rolando Bautista (right) in Basilan. File photo by Richard Falcatan/Rappler
DAVAO CITY, Philippines –
“It’s an honor and pride to serve the incoming president,” said Colonel Rolando
Joselito Bautista after receiving word that president-elect Rodrigo Duterte has
chosen him to be the next Presidential Security Group (PSG) commander.
Bautista told Rappler on
Monday, May 23, that he has not talked directly to Duterte about his
appointment but was told by Duterte’s executive assistant, Christopher
"Bong" Go, that he has been chosen for the job. Go confirmed this
with Rappler.
Bautista, currently the
Commander of the Joint Task Group in Basilan, said he would stick to tried and
tested methods of ensuring the safety of Duterte but will be open to
“innovations” that may be required for a president like Duterte.
“Apparently, we have
existing protocols and procedures on how to secure a president that we observe.
These have been tested and institutionalized. But of course, there will be
additions and innovations depending on the desire of the president,” he said in
a statement released on Monday, May 23.
A 1985 graduate of the
Philippine Military Academy, Bautista served as commander of the 73rd Infantry
Battalion covering Davao City and Davao del Norte from 2005 to 2007. Prior to
his Basilan stint, Bautista was commander of Task Force General Santos in
General Santos City.
Bautista,
who hails from Pangasinan, took up a VIP Protective Detail Course conducted by
the US Embassy in Manila.
AFP spokesman Lieutenant
Colonel Noel Detoyato called him a “well-rounded officer.”
“He is an operations man
and also adept in intel [intelligence]. He is a good family man but
service-oriented,” he said.
Bautista is also said to
be good friends with Duterte’s executive assistant Go, who, according to the
transition committee, was in charge of vetting nominees for appointments under
the Peace and Security cluster. – With reports from Carmela Fonbuena/Rappler.com
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