Golez thanks GMA for naming brod to head Navy

MANILA, Philippines – Opposition Rep. Roilo Golez thanked President Arroyo yesterday for selecting his brother as the new flag-office-in-command (FOIC) of the Philippine Navy (PN).

Vice Admiral Ferdinand Golez took over the top Navy post yesterday from Vice Admiral Rogelio Calunsag at the PN headquarters on Roxas Blvd., Manila. Golez is the 30th Navy chief of the country.

Calunsag bowed out of military service yesterday after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56.

“Well, of course, the family is very grateful to the President for selecting my brother… my mother who is 88 years old (and) very much alive is very appreciative,” Golez said.

He asked that his brother’s appointment not be linked to him, saying, “He is a fine and qualified naval officer who can lead and steer through rough and high waters the 20,619-strong Navy.”

The younger Golez is a product of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 76, now the ruling class in the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police.

He also had various military schooling and training abroad, including psychological and naval operations at Fort Bragg in Texas.

Upon his installation by Defense chief Gilbert Teodoro yesterday, the new Navy chief immediately laid down his flagship program.

He lamented that at present, the Navy has only 128 naval and air assets in its inventory and has become the weakest in the Asia-Pacific region.

Golez said that under his reign, he would pursue two concerns: accomplishing the (Navy’s) mission and seeing to the welfare of the men.

He vowed to continue initiatives started by Calunsag and focus on core competencies and empowerment of Navy human resources.

He added that he would give emphasis on basic military values of honor, dignity and pride. –  Jaime Laude