5 senior officers nominated to be next PCG chief

Five senior officers have been nominated to be the next commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), replacing Admiral Artemio Abu who will retire from the service on October 19.

In a statement, PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armando Balilo said the nominated senior officers are Vice Admiral Rolando Lizor Punzalan, Vice Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, Vice Admiral Joseph Coyme, Vice Admiral Allan Victor Dela Vega, and Vice Admiral Roy Echeverria.

“The five candidates will undergo series of interviews and will face the senior leadership of the Department of Transportation before endorsing their names to the Office of the President,” Balilo said.

"But President [Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.] who will appoint the commandant, aside from the five nominees, can still choose from the qualified flag rank officers of the PCG,” he added.

Punzalan is the current PCG Deputy Commandant for Operations and a member of PMA Tanglaw Diwa Class of 1992, according to the Coast Guard.

Gavan of PMA Maalab Class of 1993 is the PCG Deputy Commandant for Administration.

Coyme is serving as the Commander of Maritime Services Command and a member of PMA Bantay Laya Class of 1994.

Dela Vega of PMA Class of 1993 is the Commander of Weapons, Electronics and Information Systems.

Also from PMA Class of 1993, Echeverria is currently serving as the Commander of Maritime Security and Law Enforcement Command. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA Integrated News