Contenders for top Navy post lining up

MANILA, Philippines – Several contenders for the top Navy post are now lining up to replace Philippine Navy chief Vice Admiral Rogelio Calunsag when the latter retires next month.

Calunsag, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1974, is bowing out of the service as Flag Officer in Command (FOIC) upon reaching the military’s mandatory retirement age of 56 on Aug. 2.

Among the contenders are Naval Forces Western Mindanao commander Rear Admiral Emilio Marayag, AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence (J2) Rear Admiral Leonardo Calderon, Naval Educational Training Command (NETC) commander Rear Admiral Ferdinand Golez, Philippine Navy Vice Commander Rear Admiral Geronimo Defensor and Rear Admiral Josefino Solidum, chief   of the Naval Sea Systems Command  (NSSC).

All the aspirants are members of PMA Class of 1976 and classmates of AFP chief Gen. Alexander Yano.

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, who would be endorsing the nominees for Cadungog’s replacement, is also an adopted member of PMA Class 1976.

“FOIC (Cadungog) is due to retire this coming Aug. 2, and it’s natural for the contenders to work for their appointment,” an insider at Camp Aguinaldo said.