Duterte picks Abu as new PCG chief

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 28, 2022): Duterte picks Abu as new PCG chief (By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz)

Vice Adm. Artemio Abu, the new Commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). (Photo courtesy of PCG)

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has appointed Vice Adm. Artemio Abu as the new Commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

Abu's appointment took effect on Monday, the PCG said in a Facebook post.

Abu, it said, is part of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1992 and most recently served as the Commander of the Maritime Safety Services Command (MSSC) and the Task Force Commander of the PCG Task Force Kaligtasan sa Karagatan—a unit that enforces laws and regulations on the safety of life and property at sea within Philippine waters.

“He is a nobleman from Barangay Luta Sur, Malvar, Batangas, and a holder of a Master's Degree in Marine Management at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada,” the PCG said.

Previously, it said Abu was also assigned as Commander of the PCG District Southern Visayas, PCG District Southern Tagalog, and the Coast Guard Education, Training, and Doctrine Command (CGETDC).

Abu also served as the commanding officer of various PCG vessels where he earned the “Command at Sea” badge.

“All units that CG Vice Admiral Abu commanded, both ashore and afloat, received the distinction as 'Best Unit of the Year' at the national level,” the PCG said.

During the Taal Eruption in 2020, it said Abu was designated Commander of the PCG Task Force Taal where the PCG was showcased as a “uniformed, maritime, and humanitarian service of the country.”

In 2021, it said Abu was recognized by the PMA as a “Distinguished Cavalier Awardee” for 2021 in the field of Coast Guard operation.

“The said award is the highest recognition given to PMA alumni for their outstanding achievements in the field of government service,” the PCG said.

Malacañang confirmed the appointment of Abu, saying President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed his appointment on February 28.

“We are confident that CG Vice Admiral Abu will steer the PCG to greater heights in the performance of its mandate towards maritime law enforcement, maritime search and rescue, marine environmental protection, and maritime safety and security,” Cabinet Secretary and Acting Presidential Spokesperson Karlo Nograles said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1168699