PNoy installs new Navy chief

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III on Monday formally installed Rear Admiral Ceasar Taccad as the new chief of the Philippine Navy.

Aquino presided over the change of command ceremony at the Navy headquarters in Manila where Taccad assumed his post.

Taccad replaced Vice Admiral Jesus Millan who has reached the retirement age of 56.

The new flag-officer-in-command of the Navy is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1982.

In an article posted on president.gov.ph, Navy spokesperson Col. Edgard Arevalo vouched for the competence of Taccad.

"We senior officers are very confident that he will be able to pursue plans and aspirations (of the) Navy to transform our (so-called) ‘legacy navy’ to that of a 'future navy'," Arevalo was quoted as saying.

Arevalo expressed confidence that Taccad will be able to implement various programs that would transform the Navy into a more capable and credible force.

"We always say that we are living in exciting times and it is very timely for (the Navy to have) a leader like Rear Admiral Taccad because (his) insights, his vision, his brand of leadership will definitely bring the Navy to its greater heights," Arevalo said.

The Navy is having a new top leader as the country faces a big threat to its sovereignty - China's maritime aggression and island-building activities in the West Philippine Sea.

The Aquino administration has stepped efforts to upgrade the military to defend its territorial waters such as the procurement of naval vessels.

"As you know, we are facing a challenge in the West Philippine Sea. We are up against a nation that is far ahead of us, whether in terms of influence, the economy, or military force," Aquino said in his final State of the Nation Address last month.

"Yet when it comes to reason and love for country, we do not fall behind. As with all other problems, our unity is the key through which we can uphold our rights," he added.