Duterte names Artemio Abu as new Coast Guard commandant

President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Vice Admiral Artemio Abu as the 29th chief of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) effective February 28, 2022 the PCG said Monday.

The PCG, in a statement posted on its verified Facebook page, said Abu served as the Commander of the Maritime Safety Services Command (MSSC) and the Task Force Commander of the PCG Task Force Kaligtasan sa Karagatan, the unit that ensures the effective enforcement of laws and regulations relevant to the promotion of safety of life and property at sea within the Philippine maritime jurisdiction prior to his appointment as PCG Commandant.

The PCG also released a copy of Abu's appointment papers.

Abu is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1992 and holds a Master's Degree in Marine Management at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

As a Coast Guard officer, PCG said Abu was assigned as commander of the PCG District Southern Visayas, PCG District Southern Tagalog, and the Coast Guard Education, Training, and Doctrine Command.

In addition, Abu also served as Commanding Officer of various PCG ships where he earned the most coveted “Command at Sea" badge.

"All units that CG Vice Admiral Abu commanded, both ashore and afloat, received the distinction as 'Best Unit of the Year' at the national level. CG Vice Admiral Abu was recognized as a Distinguished Cavalier Awardee for 2021 in the field of Coast Guard operation. The said award is the highest recognition given to PMA alumni for their outstanding achievements in the field of government service," the PCG added.

GMA News Online has asked the Palace for confirmation on Abu's appointment but it is yet to reply as of posting time.—LDF, GMA News