THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has announced Wednesday that Vice Admiral Leopoldo Laroya will be the new commandant of the civilian armed uniform service as a replacement of now-retired PCG chief George Ursabia Jr. who has accomplished almost 38 years of service.
PCG spokesperson Commodore Armando Balilo has confirmed that President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Laroya as PCG’s chief among Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade’s recommended potential successors which include three other PCG vice admirals identified as Eduardo Fabricante, Oscar Endona Jr., and Artemio Abu.
Laroya, a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Maringal” Class of 1988, is a post-graduate at the World Maritime University in Malmö, Sweden and has also pursued Master’s degree in Maritime Safety and Environmental Protection in 2000.
Prior to his service as the PCG deputy commandant for operations, Laroya was also entrusted to be the Commander of the Maritime Safety Services Command, Coast Guard Education, Training and Doctrine Command, and Maritime Security and Law Enforcement Command.
He moreover once became the District Commander of PCG Districts in Western Visayas, Northwestern Luzon, Southwestern Mindanao, NCR – Central Luzon, and Bicol.
Furthermore, he has bagged several awards including Coast Guard Legion of Honor, Bronze Cross Medal, Outstanding Achievement Medals, Superior Achievement Medals, Coast Guard SAR Medals, and Military Merit Medals—proving his expertise and worth to be the newly appointed PCG chief.
Laroya is now the 28th commandant of PCG—the country’s official body responsible in maritime search and enforcing laws within Philippine waters.