PCG Headquarters, Port Area, Manila
14 December 2012
President Benigno S. Aquino III led the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Change of Command Ceremony at the PCG Compound in Manila.
In his speech, the President relayed to newly-installed Rear Admiral Rodolfo D. Isorena that being the Commander of the Coast Guard Fleet is not a privilege but rather a task that comes with responsibility. “Huwag mong sasayangin ang mga repormang ipinunla ng iyong mga sinundan. Suklian mo ng tapat na paglilingkod ang tiwalang kaloob sa iyo, hindi lang ng Tanod Baybayin ng Pilipinas, kundi ng buong sambayanan,” he said.
President Aquino also praised PCG for selflessly fulfilling their duties in sustaining the country’s maritime welfare. He mentioned PCG’s stand on the dispute in Bajo de Masinloc and their initiatives to fight human trafficking, smuggling of illegal drugs and arms, and other transnational crimes. But more importantly, he lauded the Coast Guard men’s life risking duties of rescuing the victims of Typhoon ‘Pablo’.
“Batid kong ilan sa inyo’y halos ibuwis ang buhay sa pagsalubong sa rumaragasang tubig-baha, upang sumaklolo’t ilikas ang inyong kapwa. Maraming, maraming salamat sa inyong kabayanihan at pagkalinga,” said the Commander-in-Chief.
RADM Isorena is the 25th Commandant of PCG. He holds command over 6,000 coast guard men and is mainly responsible for the highly technical and specialized operating units such as the Coast Guard Aviation Group, Coast Guard Ready Force, the Special Operations Group and the Coast Guard K-9.
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