PAGADIAN CITY (March 7, 2019) – Vice Admiral Rene V
Medina AFP, relinquished Command of Naval Forces Western Mindanao to Rear Admiral
Erick A Kagaoan AFP, during a Change of Command Ceremony held at Naval Station
Romulo Espaldon, Bagong Calarian, Zamboanga City on March 7, 2019. The event
was presided by the Flag Officer in Command, Philippine Navy (FOIC, PN), Vice Admiral
Robert A Empedrad AFP.
Vice
Admiral Empedrad handed over the Command Symbol to Rear Admiral Kagaoan,
ushering him as the new Commander of NFWM.
In his
speech, FOIC, PN gave recognition to Vice Admiral Rene V Medina. He stated, “His
legacy in the Philippine Navy was magnified when he was designated as Commander,
NFWM where during his stint for 2 years, the Naval Forces Western Mindanao got
the highest grade in Annual General Inspection and was adjudged as the Naval
Operating Forces of the Year of the Philippine Navy in the year 2018. But more
importantly, there was no piracy and kidnapping incidents in the vast waters of
Western Mindanao and land area, where Fleet Marine team were deployed. During
the Marawi war, no less than the Chief of Staff General Carlito Galvez AFP said
and I quote, Without the heroic deeds of the Fleet-Marine forces under the
leadership of Vice Admiral Medina, the Marawi war could have not been won very quickly.”
Vice
Admiral Medina In his speech said. “As the outgoing Commander of this
prestigious naval force, I can guarantee every single person aboard, that we,
as a team, had accomplished more that what was expected. A legacy that will be
remembered by everyone who had and will set foot on this Command”. In his
concluding message as the outgoing CNFWM, he expressed his sincerest gratitude
and deep appreciation to every Fleet-Marine units under his Command, to the
earnest support of the men and women of NFWM, to all the NFWM stakeholders and
to the people of Western Mindanao.
Vice
Admiral Medina also thanked the following: The latter and the present Commander
Western Mindanao Command for the constant guidance and direction in all the
NFWM’s operational undertakings; the Flag officer in Command for the support
and assistance to maintain NFWM’s capacity and capability to perform its
mission; his friends; and most especially his family for their patience and
selfless understanding that most of the time he is away from them for a noble
cause.
Rear
Admiral Kagaoan is a member of Philippine Military Academy “Hinirang“ Class of
1987. He is a highly educated and trained naval officer both local and abroad.
His dedication to his profession is reflected by the numerous awards he received
that bespeaks of a noble and versatile naval officer that he is.
Before
taking his post in NAVFORWEM, he is the Chief of Naval Staff, Philippine Navy. Rear
Admiral Kagaoan held senior positions as the Commander of Naval Forces Northern
Luzon and Director of Naval Management and Fiscal Office at Headquarters
Philippine Navy. He also commanded seven Philippine Navy commissioned vessels
and served in various capacities in the field of intelligence, controllership,
and operations in the Philippine Coast Guard, the Armed Forces of the
Philippines and the Philippine Fleet.
In his
remarks, Rear Admiral Kagaoan expressed his gratitude to President Rodrigo Roa
Duterte and the AFP leaderhip for the trust and confidence in appointing him as
Commander Naval Forces Western Mindanao.
In his
speech Rear Admiral Kagaoan stated, “Today, I will continue to follow through
with all the set plans and thrusts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. I intend
to continue ensuring the preparedness of our deployable forces whenever and
wherever they are needed to conduct territorial defense, Internal Security, and
other activities to support my Unified Command, the Western Mindanao Command. NFWM
will support efforts to curb lawless elements and support advocacies as
instruments of security and peace in the region.”
“Having
been deployed here 4 times before and this is my fifth deployment, I immersed
on the complexities and challenges of this area Command. I have been taught by
experience, that with the purest and best intentions, anything is possible and
can be delivered. And now, as I solemnly take full ownership of my new job as
the Commander NFWM, with a greater capacity to serve Western Mindanao, I pledge
before all of you, that whatever I do as your new commander, it will be done
for our beloved country. My performance will be based on the policy guidance
and thrusts of the higher headquarters steered with our Sail Plan and the Active
Archipelagic Defense Strategy.” (By
JONG CADION with NFWM PAO PR and photos)
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