Marcos names Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpeleta as Navy chief

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has selected Rear Admiral Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpeleta as the new Flag Officer-in-Command of the Philippine Navy.

Marcos led the retirement and change of command ceremony at the Philippine Navy Headquarters in Roxas Boulevard, Manila as Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci Jr. bade farewell from the service on Friday.

The President expressed confidence that Ezpeleta's leadership would continue the high standards set by his predecessor.

"As Vice Admiral Adaci has demonstrated, your predecessors are always difficult acts to follow, but given your competence, your experience, and mental fortitude, I am confident you will continue to lead the Navy with integrity and surpass any challenges that you might confront," Marcos told Ezpeleta.

"I look forward to working with you and I give you my full support as you build on your legacy," the President said.

According to the Presidential Communications Office, Ezpeleta previously served as the Vice Commander of the naval forces from August to November 2024, Chief of Staff of the Philippine Navy from August 2022 to August 2024, and Commander of the Naval Forces Southern Luzon from September 2019 to August 2022.

In his speech, Ezpeleta said the Philippine Navy shall continue to prepare for its increasing role in external defense operations.

"Such a reorientation also requires us to intensify our maritime security operations by strengthening our presence in our operational areas. As such, we shall continue to enhance our support to the unified commands and push for the optimum deployment of our naval assets and personnel," he said.

The new Navy chief also expressed commitment to modernizing the military force through capability enhancement and development of bases and facilities, as well as through maritime domain awareness.

"Lastly, as aligned with our independent foreign policy, the Philippines [should be] able to diversify and enhance our relations with traditional and newfound partners," Ezpeleta said.

"This translates the continuous harnessing of engagements with our naval counterparts, allowing us to use our assets, train interoperability, and put forward the importance of international law and the United Nations arbitral ruling," he added.

Ezpeleta takes over the Philippine Navy amid continuing tensions in the West Philippine Sea as Beijing claims almost all of South China Sea (SCS), a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.

In 2016, an international arbitration tribunal in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the SCS.

China, however, does not recognize the decision. — VDV, GMA Integrated News