President Rodrigo Duterte appointed the former head of his security team as chief of the military’s intelligence arm.

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque announced the appointment of Jose “Jim” Niembra on Saturday, July 25.

“We wish Brigadier General Niembra all the best in his new assignment,” said Roque in a statement.

Niembra takes over the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP), the unit in charge of intelligence operations for the military.

A member of Philippine Military Academy’s “Sambisig” class of 1991, he was commander of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) which provides close-in security for the Chief Executive. Colonel Jesus Durante III took over the post in February.

Before heading the PSG, Niembra was the group’s deputy commander. Niembra has known the President for a long time, having served as Task Force Davao deputy commander back when Duterte was mayor.

This is not the first time Duterte tapped his personal security chief for a bigger role in government.

His very first PSG chief, Rolando Bautista, became army chief and then social welfare secretary. Presidents before him have done the same for their PSG chiefs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, for instance, even promoted her PSG commander, Hermogenes Esperon Jr, to head of the entire military. – Rappler.com