PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte has appointed the Philippine Coast Guard’s deputy commandant as its new chief, the agency said in a statement yesterday.
Vice Admiral Joel Sarsiban Garcia will start office on Oct. 24, the Coast Guard said, citing the letter of appointment signed by the president. He will replace Admiral Elson Hermogino, who is retiring.
Mr. Garcia is a graduate of the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy and is a licensed master mariner.
He is the executive director of the National Coast Watch Center under the Office of the President and heads the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia Governing Council, which is based in Singapore.
He earned his Masters of Science degree in Maritime Safety Administration from the World Maritime University (WMU) in Sweden and Masters in Shipping Management from the Philippine Merchant Academy.
Mr. Garcia commanded capital ships from the navy and the coast guard, held key positions at the headquarters and led four coast guard districts, two functional commands and two major support commands, according to the statement.
“The command is very thankful to the president for choosing a visionary leader who cares for the welfare of his subordinates and is passionate in accomplishing the PCG’s mandates,” Coast Guard spokesman Captain Armando Balilo said in the statement. — Gillian M. Cortez
