Key Philippine Military and Insurgency-Related Events: DWDD: CHANGE OF COMMAND

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

DWDD: CHANGE OF COMMAND | NAVFORWES receives its 35th Commander

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Sep 20): CHANGE OF COMMAND | NAVFORWES receives its 35th Commander

BGY. SAN MIGUEL, Puerto Princesa City (DWDD) – Commodore Rommel Jude G Ong, relinquished Command of Naval Forces West to his equally able successor, Commodore Rommel Jason Galang, during a Change of Command Ceremony held at NAVFORWES Headquarters in Puerto Prinsesa, Palawan. The event was presided by the Flag Officer In Command, Philippine Navy (FOIC, PN) Vice Adm. Ronald Joseph S Mercado.

VADM Mercado handed over the Command Symbol to Commo. Galang, ushering him in as the 35th Commander NFW. On the other hand, Maj. Gen. Galileo Gerard R KintanarJr, the Western Command Commander, handed over the Joint Task Force-West symbol to Commo. Galang, designating him as newly-installed commander.

In his speech, FOIC, PN stated that aside from being demonstrative of leadership advancement and upright succession in the chain of command, the ceremony likewise is a noted manifestation of the ability of the command to produce a pool of excellent leaders who are readily available to take on the challenge of bigger responsibility any time.

Commo. Ong, in his concluding message as the outgoing CNFW, expressed his utmost gratitude to the earnest support of the men and women of the Command, resulting to exemplary and notable accomplishments of the unt during his stint. Commo.Ong is now the incumbent Naval Inspector General.

In is remarks, Commo. Galang stressed, “I am both honored and humbled as I consider the immense responsibilities inherent in the position of Commander, Naval Forces West.I would like to personally thank the Flag Officer in Command, Admiral Mercado, and the AFP leadership for giving me the opportunity to lead and secure a course of peaceful development and progress. Though the challenges evolve, I will look into the future with clear eyes, confronting the challenges to peace and prosperity.”

Rotation and replacement of leaders is considered as customary for every military unit. This Change of Command Ceremony is just part of a vigorous process to ensure that Naval Forces West will be responsive to the challenging demands of operating in the country’s western front. NFW/MCAG