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.

Naval Station Commanding Officer Joins Milo Marathon

BY:NFEM-PAO

THE personnel of the Naval Station in Davao City are not only active in events for environmental protection, but are also upbeat in joining sports events that are highly significant for physical conditioning.

This was proven by LCDR MANUEL L GIMENA PN, Commanding Officer, Naval Station Davao as he joined in the 10k fun run of the 33rd Regional Elimination for Davao Region and emerged in the top 15 last July 12, 2009.

Aside from the Naval Station Davao, the activity was also participated in by private companies, schools, government agencies, the EASTMINCOM, 10th Infantry Division Philippine Army and the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao Command.

The regional race was part of the National Milo Marathon, the country's longest and biggest footrace. The fun run started at 5 a.m. at Rizal Park and has categories such as the 3k kiddies run, the 5k fun run, 10k run, and the 21k regional race.

Finishers in each of the categories were given cash prizes, while the top three male and female finishers in the 21k race got an all-expense trip to Manila to compete for the national finals. (NFEM-PAO)

Naval Station Commanding Officer LCDR MANUEL L GIMENA PN actively participated in the Milo Marathon regional race on 12 July 2009 where he emerged as top 15 in the 10k run division.

NAVY PERSONNEL DONATE BLOOD

BY: NFEM-PAO

THE Philippine Navy, through Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM) participated in the blood letting activity that was spearheaded by the Rotary Club of Waling-Waling Davao, in cooperation with the Association of Hematologists Mindanao Fund Inc., the Davao Medical Society, and the Philippine National Red Cross. Around 45 officers and enlisted personnel represented the Navy during the blood donation drive held at the Davao Medical Society Compound in Madapo Hills, Davao City on July 18, 2009.

The Navy participants were CDR LUZVIMINDA CAMACHO PN, LCDR FLORO C CANALEJA JR PN, ENS MAYREL ALLAN A LUZA PN, ENS ALEX JOE E CORPIZ PN, Enlisted Personnel, civilian employees and Basic Citizen Military Training contingents headed by PO1 Lorenzo Lomibao of the Naval Reserve Command Center Eastern Mindanao.

LCDR FLORO C CANALEJA JR PN was chosen as one the speakers in the said activity because of his recent experience in a dengue case where his daughter feel ill and was hospitalized for almost a week. He stressed the importance of the activity in saving the lives of other people- those affected by dengue and other medical cases needing instant blood transfusion.

Aside from the Philippine Navy, the blood letting activity was also participated in by the 10th Infantry Division, Eastern Mindanao Command, the Philippine National Police, and students from the University of Mindanao. The activity aims to provide hospitals and medical facilities with readily available blood in times of casualties, accidents and emergencies. The organizer, the Rotary Club of Waling-Waling Davao, conducted the activity in response to the rise of dengue cases and the demand for blood used during transfusions.

Rotary Club of Waling Waling Davao president Dra. Mae Dolendo thanked all the participants who graciously gave their time, effort and blood in order to save lives. (NFEM-PAO)

NAVFORCEN Extended Medical-Dental Care to Oslob People

BY: ENS JUDYLINE B CANONEO PN
Public Affairs Office
Naval Central Forces

The Philippine Navy’s Naval Forces Central (NAVFORCEN), through its operating arms, the 511^th Naval Reserve Squadron and the Civil Military Operations Group- Central (CMOG-C), successfully conducted a Medical-Dental Mission at Barangay Lagunde, Oslob, Cebu last August 1, 2009..
The activity was in line with the Command’s thrust on Military Operations to improve civil and community relations to the residents in Oslob. NAVFORCEN likewise aimed to strengthen the ties between the people of Oslob and the military, particularly the Philippine Navy, through civilian outreach program such as this.

The activity was initiated by the Commanding Officer of the 511^th Naval Reserve Squadron, Lieutenant Commander Gregorio Sanchez PN (Res) and with the help of volunteer doctors, dentists and nurses of the Cebu Doctor’s Hospital and Vicente Sotto Medical Center.

629 adult and senior citizen patients and 268 children were given medical attention while 38 patients were treated by volunteer dentists. Aside from the medical and dental treatment, a supplemental feeding was also launched by the Civil Military Operations Group- Central and the 511^th Naval Reserve Squadron which benefitted 357 children from Barangay Lagunde.

Mayor Ronald L Guaren, , municipal Mayor of Oslob, Cebu and the Barangay Captain of Lagunde, Estudita Abines-Dee personally welcomed the medical and dental team in the area. Along with the information caravan is also a PMA recruitment drive in the area conducted by NAVFORCEN in order to bring forth potential PMA cadets.