Rear Admiral Caesar Taccad is new Navy chief

Rear Admiral Caesar Taccad has been named as the new chief of the Philippine Navy, according to Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin.

In a text message to media, Gazmin confirmed that Taccad, Philippine Navy's current vice commander, will assume his post on Monday to replace Vice Admiral Jesus Millan, who will then reach the mandatory retirement age of 56.

Gazmin said President Benigno Aquino III, the military's commander-in-chief, signed Taccad's appointment papers last Thursday.

A turnover ceremony to be presided by Aquino will be held at the Navy headquarters in Manila on Monday.

Taccad is a member of the Philippine Military Academy class of '82, along with Millan, Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Delgado, AFP vice chief Lt. Gen. John Bonafos and Eastern Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Aurelio Baladad.

Taccad, who is also the chair of the Navy's Modernization Board, previously served at the Chief Naval Staff and commander of the Naval Forces Northern Luzon.

Also reportedly considered for the Navy chief post were AFP Western Command chief Vice Adm. Alexander Lopez (of PMA class 1982) and Chief Naval Staff Rear Adm. Ronald Joseph Mercado.

Taccad's successor has yet to be announced. — Amanda Fernandez/LBG, GMA News