New Navy chief named

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino has appointed Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Central Command chief Vice Admiral Jose Luis Alano as the new flag officer in command of the Philippine Navy, replacing Alexander Pama.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said Alano’s appointment was signed Dec. 12, but that he will be taking over on Dec. 21 when Pama reaches 56, the mandatory retirement age for AFP officials.

Alano’s appointment papers were sent to Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin.

Prior to his promotion, Alano was the leader of several important units in the Navy including the Philippine Fleet, Office of the Chief of Naval Staff, Naval Forces Northern Luzon, Service Force Command and Naval Air Group.

Born on May 1, 1958 in Quezon province, Alano started his military career when he entered the Philippine Military Academy in 1975. He joined the Navy upon graduation in 1979.

Alano studied here and abroad and took graduate courses in Australia and in the US.

Among the awards and decorations conferred on Alano are the Distinguished Service Star, Command at Sea Plaque, Military Medal Award, the Philippine Navy Surface Warfare Operation Badge, and the People Power II Ribbon.

Alano is married to Maria Hildelita Alano with whom he has two daughters, Maria Gabriela and Sofia.

On the other hand, there were two other Navy officers who were included in the shortlist that the Board of Generals had recommended to AFP chief Gen. Jessie Dellosa, who in turn, sent the list to President Aquino as commander-in-chief of the AFP.

The two other contenders were Navy Vice Commander Rear Admiral Edgar Abogado and Philippine Fleet Commander Rear Adm. Orwen Cortez.

Abogado is a graduate of Philippine Military Academy class ’80 while Cortez and Alano are from PMA class ’79.

Abogado served as the chief of naval staff before he was appointed Navy vice chief. He was also the commander of the Naval Forces Northern Luzon and commander of the Navy Logistics Center.

Cortez has held key military positions including Navy vice commander and chief of the Palawan-based Naval Forces West and Naval Forces Western Mindanao Command.

In an ambush interview, Aquino said he had not yet interviewed the candidates for new chief of staff and Philippine Coast Guard commandant. He added that he was not rushing the appointment for the Coast Guard, since they are now focused on rescue operations in Mindanao. – With Aurea Calica