President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed outgoing Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency chief Aaron Aquino as head of the Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC).

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea confirmed the appointment after Duterte tapped PDEA Northern Mindanao head Wilkins Villanueva as the new director general of PDEA.

“Mr. Aquino’s nomination as the President/CEO of Clark International Airport Corporation has been approved by President Rodrigo Duterte and is now forwarded to the aforesaid corporation’s Board of Directors,” the Office of the Executive Secretary said.

A former police official, Aquino served PDEA for more than two years before he was moved to the CIAC.

In a statement, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque expressed Malacañang’s gratitude to Aquino for his “immense contribution” to the administration’s campaign against illegal drugs.

Roque also said Villanueva is “no stranger to drug law enforcement.”

“He has been working with PDEA for many years before reaching the agency’s top position. We therefore believe DG Villanueva will lead PDEA and the fight against illegal drugs to greater heights with professionalism, passion and integrity,” Roque said./Stacy Ang