Meet the New Navy Chief, Who Will Lead Defense of West Philippine Sea
President Rodrigo Duterte has chosen Rear Admiral Adelius Bordado as the next commander of the Philippine Navy, Malacañang said Tuesday. He will be at the forefront of protecting the country's interests in disputed waters.
Bordado said he would push for a "modern and multi-capable" Philippine Navy that can respond to the needs of an archipelagic nation like the Philippines. He told reporters he would "continue the projects and programs of my predecessor and of course with some innovation."
Bordado's appointment as flag officer-in-command of the Navy is effective June 9, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said. Bordado succeeds Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo.
The Navy Flag Officer in Command or FOIC, as force provider, ensures there is enough military assets at sea to defend national sovereignty. In recent years, this is more significant as Beijing asserts in claims in the West Philippine Sea that overlap with Manila's exclusive economic zone or EEZ.
MORE ON WEST PHILIPPINE SEA:
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A member of the Philippine Military Academy Maringal Class of 1988, Bordado also served as chief of the Naval Staff, and headed the Armed Forces of the Philippines Education, Training and Doctrine Command.
Bordado "particularly distinguished himself in the fields of operations, intelligence, information technology, budget, planning, and education and training," said Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, the Armed Forces chief of staff.
His assignment is timely as the Navy is "vigorously pursuing its modernization program that includes acquisition programs for surface and sub-surface assets," Sobejana said.
"The wealth of his experience, his well-rounded education and training locally and abroad and his personal attributes make him an excellent choice to lead the Philippine Navy at this time that the AFP faces various internal and external security challenges," said the AFP chief.
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