While intending to stay true to its mandate to preserve peace and de-escalate tensions in the West Philippine Sea, the Philippine Coast Guard said on Tuesday that it is considering arming its vessels with “big guns.”
MANILA - President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has promoted at least 10 Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) officials, Malacanang confirmed Wednesday. The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) released the names of PCG officials who have been promoted to the ranks of Vice Admiral and Rear Admiral. Based on the list, Rear Admirals Joseph Coyme, Robert Patrimonio and Ronnie Gil Gavan now hold the rank of Vice Admiral, the second highest among PCG commissioned officers. Coyme currently serves as the commander of the PCG's Maritime Safety Services Command, while Patrimonio heads the Marine Environmental Protection Command, according to the organizational chart posted on the commission's official website. Gavan, on the other hand, is the PCG's Deputy Commandant for Administration. Commodores Gregorio Adel Jr., Eustacio Nimrod Enriquez Jr., Edgardo Hernando, Armando Balilo, Hostillo Arturo Cornelio, and Rudyard Somera have also been promoted as rear admirals, the roster of the newly-prom