Vice Admiral Medina turns over the helm of NFWM to Rear Admiral Kagaoan

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)