Laroya is new PH Coast Guard chief

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte has named Vice Admiral Leopoldo Laroya as the new commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

In a Facebook post, the PCG said Laroya, currently its deputy commandant for operations, will replace Admiral George Ursabia Jr. who retired from the service on Wednesday.

“Vice Admiral Laroya was entrusted with various major positions, such as Commander of the Maritime Safety Services Command; Coast Guard Education, Training and Doctrine Command; and Maritime Security and Law Enforcement Command,” the PCG said.

Laroya is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Maringal” Class of 1988.

He served as district commander of the PCG districts in Western Visayas, Northwestern Luzon, Southwestern Mindanao, National Capital Region–Central Luzon, and Bicol.

He also earned the “Command at Sea” badge for having commanded two flagship search and rescue vessels — BRP Batangas (SARV-004) and BRP Nueva Vizcaya (SARV-3502),

In a speech at his retirement ceremony on Wednesday, Ursabia highlighted the intensified presence of the PCG in the country’s maritime domain, notably at the West Philippine Sea and in the southern part of the country.

“As I leave my post as the 27th Commandant of the PCG, it is my hope that coast guardians will continue to uphold the kind of service you’ve shown in these difficult times. Serve with humility and compassion. Because that is the kind of service every Filipino deserves,” Ursabia said.