President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed former Presidential Security Group commander Brig. Gen. Jose Eriel Niembra as the new head of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Malacañang announced on Saturday.
Niembra replaces Brig. Gen. Oliver Artuz, who retired from the service Friday.
“We wish (Brig.) Gen. Niembra all the best in his new assignment,” Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said.
A member of the Philippine Military Academy “Sambisig” Class of 1991, Niembra served as PSG commander from May 2018 to February 2020.
Under Niembra’s leadership, the PSG provided security to Duterte during the 2019 elections, the 3rd and 4th State of the Nation Addresses, the 30th Southeast Asian Games, and the first Presidential Silent Drill Competition.
Niembra previously served as deputy commander of the Task Force Davao from 2009 to 2012.