Duterte names Garcia new PCG commandant

President Duterte has appointed Vice Adm. Joel Garcia as the new commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), replacing Adm. Elson Hermogino, who will retire on Thursday. Mr. Duterte signed Garcia’s appointment papers on Monday, shortly before he flew to Tokyo. Garcia, currently PCG deputy commandant for administration, will assume his post on Thursday upon Hermogino’s retirement from the PCG. Garcia bested four other contenders for the position. He will retire in June 2020. “We are confident that the incoming commandant, a man of vast knowledge, competence and integrity, would continue to lead and advance the PCG to greater heights,” presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement. Garcia is also the current executive director of the National Coast Watch Center under the Office of the President and the chairperson of the Singapore-based Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia Governing Council.