PCG chief Laroya to retire after 38 years of service

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 9, 2022): PCG chief Laroya to retire after 38 years of service (By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz)

PCG Commandant CG Admiral Leopoldo Laroya. (Photo courtesy of PCG)

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) commandant Admiral Leopoldo Laroya is set to formally retire from service on Thursday, after more than “38 years of public service.”

In a Viber message, PCG spokesperson Commodore Armando Balilo said Malacañang will announce Laroya’s replacement as chief of the PCG.

“The men and women of the PCG express their sincere gratitude to the inspiring leadership of CG Admiral Laroya who significantly contributed to the transformation of the modern PCG,” the PCG said in a media bulletin on Thursday.

Laroya, it said, has been at the helm of the PCG for five months and led the uniformed service’s Covid-19 response, modernization efforts, and through the onslaught of Typhoon Odette.

During this period, it said the PCG assisted in the daily operations of ‘Task Force Bayanihan for Returning Overseas Filipinos,’ the nationwide vaccination drive ‘Bayanihan, Bakunahan’, assisted in ensuring compliance with minimum health standards in maritime transport, helped manage traffic with the Inter-Agency Council for Traffic and provided free transport to commuters at the Edsa busway.

As part of the intensified modernization of the PCG, it said Laroya prioritized the recruitment and training of thousands of PCG officers and personnel and PCG’s bilateral relationship with the Japanese government that culminated in the inauguration of the PCG’s two 97-meter multi-role response vessels in Japan and joint maritime exercises with the Japan Coast Guard.

During the onslaught of Typhoon Odette, Laroya ordered PCG district commanders to muster all deployable response groups and quick response teams in Palawan, Visayas, and Mindanao.

In total, the PCG has rescued 1,032 affected residents and evacuated almost 12,000 individuals in Northeastern Mindanao, Northern Mindanao, Central Visayas, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, and Palawan affected by the powerful typhoon.

It also responded to 115 maritime incidents, 90 of which occurred in Central Visayas.

As of Tuesday, the PCG’s ‘Task Force Kalinga’ has transported a total of 3,505 tons of relief goods and other critical supplies to support the rehabilitation of affected families of Typhoon Odette since Dec. 19, 2021.

Meanwhile, it said five senior flag rank officers have been recommended to Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade who is expected to make his recommendation to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for the 29th PCG commandant.

These officers are CG Vice Admiral Eduardo Fabricante of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1989, CG Vice Admiral Oscar Endona Jr. of the PMA Class of 1990, CG Vice Admiral Artemio Abu of the PMA Class of 1992, CG Vice Admiral Rolando Lizor Punzalan of the PMA Class of 1992, and CG Rear Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan of the PMA Class of 1993.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1167434