PHILIPPINE NAVY chief Vice Admiral Robert A. Empedrad on Sunday denied allegations that personal differences was the reason for the reported early retirement of Philippine Marine Corps Commandant Major General Alvin A. Parreño.” [W]e are very professional enough to deal with differences so okay naman ang nangyari (what happened was okay),” Mr. Empedrad said. He added that their discussions were good leading to the decision for Mr. Parreño’s re-assignment to the flag officer-in-command until he retires in March 2020. He also said that they resolved the only difference they had, which was the proposal in 2018 for the Philippine Marine Corps to become a separate branch of service under the Armed Forces of the Philippines. “Nag-agree na kami na instead na ihiwalay ‘yung Marines, magiging key budgetary unit na lang (We agreed that instead of making the Marines a separate unit, we will just make it a key budgetary unit),” Mr. Empedrad said. This would mean that the Navy will no longer manage the budget and finances of the Marines. The Navy chief added that they will be helping the Marines create accounting and finance units. He also said that he offered to promote Mr. Parreño for the position of vice-commander of the Philippine Navy but Mr. Parreño declined in order to give way to another officer. — Marc Wyxzel C. Dela Paz

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