Navy honors outgoing chief

MANILA, Philippines - The BRP Apolinario Mabini patrol boat sailed yesterday in a testimonial parade to honor outgoing Philippine Navy chief Vice Admiral Alexander Pama.

Pama will retire today and will be replaced by Vice Admiral Jose Luis Alano, who will be the 32nd Navy chief. President Aquino is scheduled to lead the change of command and the retirement honors for Pama.

A member of Philippine Military Academy  (PMA) Class 1979, Pama led the Naval Forces Western Mindanao and was chief of Task Force Trillium, a special military operation unit that flushed out the Abu Sayyaf militants and the lost command group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Basilan.

During his stint as flag officer-in-command, the Navy was called upon to defend the country’s territory in the West Philippine Sea against China’s increasing aggression in the region.

Under Pama’s leadership, the Navy acquired a Hamilton cutter-class ship, the BRP Gregorio del Pilar, so far the country’s largest and fastest ship, which was recently involved in the standoff at Panatag Shoal.

Navy spokesman Col. Omar Tonsay said another cutter-class vessel will be on its way to the country early next year.

Alano was commander of the Cebu-based Armed Forces Central Command before his designation as Navy chief. He was formerly the commander of the Philippine Fleet, Navy chief of naval staff, commander of the Naval Forces Northern Luzon and Philippine Fleet Service Force.

He will serve until he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 56 in 2014. – With Alexis Romero