Navy awaits new chief as Adaci ends tour

The Philippine Navy will soon welcome a new flag officer in command as Navy chief Vice Adm. Toribio Adaci Jr. wraps up his two-year tour of duty on Friday.

Adaci, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Makatao Class of 1989, was given a testimonial parade at the top military school in Baguio City on Saturday, to honor his four decades of military service.

The Navy has a handful of three-star and two-star officers to choose from as his successor but at least five names have emerged in military circles as front-runners for the top job.

Front-runners

Western Command chief Vice Adm. Alfonso Torres Jr., Navy vice commander Rear Adm. Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpeleta and Navy inspector general and spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad, all from PMA Sambisig Class of 1991 are possible contenders, the Inquirer learned.

Naval Forces Western Mindanao commander Rear Adm. Francisco Tagamolila Jr. and Naval education, training and doctrine command commander Rear Adm. Joe Anthony Orbe from PMA Tanglaw Diwa Class of 1992 are also potential candidates.

Aside from Adaci, Philippine Fleet commander Rear Adm. Renato David will also bow out of service on Monday after 38 years of service, paving the way for anticipated leadership changes in various naval units.

Tough act

The Philippine Fleet is in charge of the Navy’s ships and aircraft for its operations to fulfill the Navy’s mandate.

Adaci’s successor will inherit a force intensively shoring up its capabilities amid current and emerging threats, including Chinese incursions in the West Philippine Sea.

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This year, the Navy quietly activated an Unmanned Surface Vessel Unit to bolster efforts to keep an eye on the country’s waters in support of current operating warships.

The Navy is also expected to be involved in the on-ground implementation of two new laws that sought to assert the country’s maritime claims and boost its territorial integrity: the Maritime Zones Act and the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act.

China, which claims nearly the entirety of the South China Sea, had condemned the move as an attempt to “solidify the illegal ruling of the South China Sea arbitration case through domestic legislation.” Beijing continues to ignore the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated its sweeping claims.