PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. has promoted 15 Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) captains to the next higher rank of commodore, one of them playing a role in the protection of Philippine interests in the West Philippine Sea.
“These are young officers, deserving (the promotion). This is needed for the professional growth of our organization,” said PCG spokesman Commodore Armand Balilo.
Balilo thanked the President for the promotion of the officers, led by now Commodore Christopher Meniado, the commander of the PCG District Palawan.
“We are very appreciative of these promotions. We thank the President for his trust and confidence, for promoting these officers,” Balilo said.
As commander of the PCG District Palawan, Meniado is involved in the protection of Philippine territory and sovereignty in the disputed West Philippine Sea.
The Armed Forces, through the AFP Western Command, is leading efforts to protect Philippine interest in the area.
“We put there an officer who is highly-competent and well-versed on the issue of the West Philippine Sea,” said Balilo.
Also promoted to commodore were Dominador Senador, Maritime Safety Services Command Chief of Staff; Algier Ricafrente, Deputy Chief of Coast Guard Staff for International Affairs; Geronimo Tuvilla, commander of the PCG District Northern Mindanao; Fideles Sallidao, National Operations Center for Oil Pollution Director; Romeo Pulido Jr., commander of the PCG District Eastern Visayas;
Rejard Marfe, commander of the PCG District Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao; Geoffrey Espaldon, Deputy Chief of Coast Guard Staff for Logistics; Prudencio Patricio Jr., commander of the Coast Guard Infrastructure Development Service; Jay Tristan Tarriela, Deputy Chief of Coast Guard Staff for Human Resource Management;
Vincent Bingbong Fiesta, commander of the PCG District Northeastern Luzon; Fedelyn Santos, director of the PCG Leadership and Doctrine Development Command; Alexis Calderon, commander of the Coast Guard Medical Service; Lysamyra Marie Gavan, commander of the Coast Guard Nursing Service; and Lowie Palines, commander of the Coast Guard Ecumenical Chaplain Service.
The PCG said it is coordinating with the offices of President Marcos Jr. and Transportation secretary Jaime Bautista for the oath-taking of the newly-promoted officers.
