A multi-awarded military official has been appointed commander of the lone Philippine Army battalion stationed in Bohol.

Lieutenant. Col. Eufracio Joel Malig Jr. will be officially replacing Lt. Col. Jose Dodjie Belloga Jr. as the commander of the 47th Infantry Battalion tomorrow.

The turnover ceremony will be held at Camp Lino Chatto in Tubigon and led by Maj. Gen. Jon Aying, commander of the 3^rd Infantry Division (ID) of the Philippine Army.

Malig was last assigned as assistant chief of staff of the Civil Military Operations (CMO), G7, 3rd ID based in Camp General Macario Peralta Jr. in Jamindan, Capiz.

Belloga who was assigned commander of the 47^th IB on April 22, 2015 will exchange positions with Malig as he will be named assistant chief of staff of the 3^rd ID’s CMO.

The transfer from the 47^th IB is due to the expiration of his two-year term in the province, said Belloga.

Malig graduated from the Philippine Military Academy as part of the Bantay Laya Class of 1994.

He became a security officer and aide-de-camp of the Presidential Security Group from 2001 until 2010 under the Arroyo administration.

Malig was a commanding officer of the First Escort Company of the PSG, a unit responsible for the physical security of the President and visiting heads of state.

He was awarded the Philippine Legion of Honor, Order ni Lakandula and Bronze Cross and Military Merit medals. (Rey Tutas)