2 Rear Admirals, 2 Brigadier Generals Promoted in the Navy

BY: LT COl EDGARD A AREVALO PN(M)
Director, Naval Public Affairs Office

Two new Rear Admirals and two new Brigadier Generals were recently added to the roster of senior officers of the Navy. They were accorded honors by the Philippine Navy on Monday morning, 03 August 2009 together with 20 other officers at the Navy Headquarters in Manila. Promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral were Commodores Mario A Catacutan, Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, J1 and Victor Emmanuel C Martir, Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, J2. Promoted to Brigadier General were Colonels Celestino C Pereyra, Commanding General, 2^nd Marine Brigade and Eugenio C Clemen, Commanding General, 3^rd Marine Brigade.

The other 20 Fleet- Marine Officers promoted to the ranks of Navy Captains and Marine Colonels are: Commanders Robert A Empedrad, Narciso A Vingson Jr, Elson K Aguilar, Danilo R Rodelas, Samuel Z Felix, Ingemar S Pernes, Gaudencio C Collado Jr, Rene V Medina, Giovanni Carlo J Bacordo, Allan Ferdinand V Cusi, Jande S Francisco, Ramon S Ochoco, Albert A Mogol, Lieutenant Colonels Elvin B Velasco, Arthur M Biyo, Alvin A Parreno, Dante A Hidalgo, Arnulfo G Rafanan, Elmer N Logronio, and Maximo J Ballesteros.

Vice Admiral Ferdinand S Golez, Flag Officer in Command, Philippine Navy presided over the ceremony. He was joined by Rear Admiral Geronimo Defensor, Commander, Philippine Fleet; MGen Juancho Sabban, Commandant, Philippine Marine Corps; Rear Admiral Danilo Cortez, Vice Commander, Philippine Navy; Rear Admiral Feliciano Angue, Chief of Naval Staff, and senior officers of the Navy and Marines.

The 3^rd Marine Brigade headed by Gen Clemen based in Sulu was instrumental in the recovery of three ICRC volunteers kidnapped by the Abu Sayaff Group. The 2^nd Marine Brigade headed by Gen Pereyra which also operates in Sulu provides the much-needed security forces in combating lawless and insurgent groups in Mindanao.

In his speech during the ceremony, Vice Admiral Golez exhorted the newly-promoted officers to be firm and vigorous in carrying out their duties and responsibilities as the Navy implements its Sail Plan 2020. He recognized their efforts and achievements in attaining their hard-earned ranks through hard work and dedication to the service.