Duterte: New PSG commander has hands full because I made many enemies

The new commander of the Presidential Security Group would have his hands full because President Rodrigo Duterte made many enemies since he became Chief Executive since nine months ago, the Chief Executive himself said on Thursday.

Duterte made the remark during the change of command of the PSG, in which Col. Lope Dagoy took over from Brig. Gen. Rolando Joselito Bautista.

“In the nine months that I have been in office, I have pursued measures that affected many personalities," Duterte said at ceremonies at the PSG Grandstand in Malacañang Park.

"While these have enabled me to help our people, these actions also made me many enemies,” he added.

Duterte said there were "those who were upset by the administration’s reforms."

"There are those whose lives have been affected by our people’s war against crime, corruption, and the illegal drugs. These are the people who do not wish to see me or the Philippines succeed,” Duterte said.

“The incoming PSG Commander Colonel Lope Dagoy will have his hands full,” he continued.

Dagoy, Duterte's senior military adviser, replaced Bautista, who was assigned as the commander of 1st “Tabak” Division of the Philippine Army in Zamboanga del Sur. 

“I am confident that his outstanding credentials and considerable experience will enable him to lead the PSG effectively. I fully entrust the protection of myself and my family to him and to the entire PSG,” the President said in his speech.

Dagoy in his speech vowed to protect the mandate of the President “wholeheartedly.”

“These are turbulent times and we are facing numerous challenges, the threats to the popularity of the President, largely brought about by the initial successes of the campaign against drugs and narco-politics, criminality, and corruption in the government and bureaucracy. It is a reality that this command will confront and address,” Dagoy said.

“The present state has become a natural magnet of various factions that threaten to discredit the presidency. The security situation has become complex and we need to enhance our capability buildup. It is our task to ensure that the President is able to perform his duties to his country and people regardless of where they are,” he added.

“We will effect an efficient security operation. To all those who bear ill will towards the head of state, heed this warning: you will not succeed,” Dagoy said. —NB, GMA News