Teodoro wants more PMA grads in PCG
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has asked the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) to have a number of its graduating cadets commissioned to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), which often takes the lead in maritime operations in the West Philippine Sea.
“I have instructed [PMA] Chief of Staff [and Vice] Admiral (Caesar Bernard) Valencia to enter into the arrangements with the Philippine Coast Guard to accept a limited number of cadets that will, upon graduation, be commissioned as officers in the Philippine Coast Guard,” he said in his keynote speech at the PMA’s 127th Founding Anniversary on Saturday.
The PCG was placed under the Department of Transportation by Executive Order No. 477, which then President Fidel Ramos issued in 1998, in accordance with its mandate “to promote the safety of life and property at sea and to protect the marine environment.”
The PCG, however, has since been involved as well in ensuring the country’s maritime security, amid China’s repeated trespassing and occupation of Philippine waters.
Most PCG personnel are recruited from the Philippine Maritime Merchant Academy and a broad pool of institutions.
The agency was separated from the Philippine Navy by EO 477, and its initial corps of officers were composed of men and women “with multifarious backgrounds and areas of expertise,” according to the PCG website
In order to cope with the personnel and material growth of the organization, the PCG started its own Officer procurement and Enlisted Personnel recruitment in 2000.
PMA alumni in PCG
According to the PCG’s current recruitment website, requirements for enlistment include being a natural-born Filipino citizen who is physically and mentally fit and having good moral character.
Other requirements include educational attainment of a four-year college degree or at least 72 college units in one course, or completion of the K-12 curriculum.
PCG personnel are also required to have professional civil service eligibility or other licenses issued by the Professional Regulation Commission, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and Maritime Industry Authority, or at least a Technical Education and Skills Development Authority National Certificate II.
In 2023, five candidates shortlisted to replace retiring PCG commandant Adm. Artemio Abu were all PMA graduates and held top positions in the PCG.
Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan, a member of PMA Maalab Class of 1993, was eventually appointed PCG chief that year.
Gavan also received numerous awards and citations, including PMA Cavalier Awardee for Coast Guard Operations in 2020 and PMA Outstanding Achievement Award for having been appointed as the PCG commandant.
PH dev’t of drones
In February, three senior officers of the PCG were conferred the Outstanding PMA Alumnus Award. Vice Admirals Charlie Rances and Robert Patrimonio and Commodore Ramon Lopez were awarded the PMA “Dangal ng Akademya,” the highest honor given to PMA graduates who have demonstrated exemplary leadership, dedication and service to the nation, reflecting the academy’s values of integrity, courage and loyalty.
Teodoro on Monday also had a speech delivered at the first-ever drone summit by the Philippine Navy, citing the need for increased local manufacturing of drones and other unmanned systems.
“For an archipelagic country like the Philippines, where every island, waterway, and air corridor represents both opportunity and vulnerability, the responsible development and integration of unmanned systems is no longer optional, it is essential,” went his keynote speech at the three-day Philippine Navy Drone Warfare Summit 2025 in Zambales, as read by Augusto Gaite, Department of National Defense assistant secretary for defense technology, research, and industry development.
“In times of crisis or conflict, dependence on foreign sources for critical defense equipment can limit our ability to act swiftly and independently,” he said. “By investing in our own people, research institutions, and industries, we are also investing in our sovereignty.”
Ukraine is working on a defense cooperation agreement with the Philippines, according to Kyiv’s Ambassador to Manila, Yuliia Fediv, who attended the summit.
Fediv said other Ukrainian delegates are expected to attend that conference. —WITH A REPORT FROM MARIELLE MEDINA, INQUIRER RESEARCH
Sources: PNA, coastguard.gov.ph, cg-hrmc.com, Official Facebook page of the Philippine Coast Guard
