Candidates for next PHL Coast Guard chief named

Five senior officers have been recommended to succeed outgoing Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) commandant Admiral Elson Hermogino, PCG spokesman Captain Armand Balilo said Thursday.

The five are:

• Vice Admiral Joel Garcia, current deputy commandant for operations and director of the National Coast Watch Center;
• Rear Admiral Leopoldo Larroya, deputy commandant for operations;
• Rear Admiral Jorge Ursabia, commander of Marine Environmental Protection Command;
• Rear Admiral Lyndon La Torre, commander of the Internal Affairs Service Class 87; and
• Rear Admiral Joselito De La Cruz, commander of Maritime Security Command

Hermogino is set to retire from the Coast Guard service on October 22. He has served a total of 38 years in the Armed Forces of the Philippines as well as in the PCG.

Balilo said the recommendation was already submitted to Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, who will later endorse the candidates to President Rodrigo Duterte. —KBK, GMA News