NAGTALAGA si Pangulong Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr. ng bagong Philippine Navy Flag Officer in Command .
Kasunod nito ay nagsagawa ang Phil Navy ng Change of Command and Retirement Ceremony para sa 40th Flag Officer In Command, Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci, Jr.
Pinangunahan ni Pangulong Marcos ang ceremony bilang pagpupugay kay Adaci at kasunod ng pormal na pagreretiro ni Adaci ay opisyal namang nanungkulan bilang bagong Navy FOIC si Rear Adm. Jose Ma Ambrosio Ezpeleta na itinalaga bilang 41st Flag Officer In Command.
“Given your competence, experience and mental fortitude, I am confident you will continue to lead the Navy with integrity and surpass any challenges that you might confront. Let us work together as we steer the future in the right direction for a more secure, advanced and prosperous Bagong Pilipinas,” hamon ng Pangulo sa bagong navy chief.
Si Ezpeleta ay miyembro ng Philippine Military Academy “SAMBISIG” Class of 1991. Nagsilbi rin itong Chief of Naval Staff; Commander, Naval Forces Southern Luzon; Deputy Commanderng Naval Education Training and Doctrine Command sa Zambales at Deputy Commander, Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao.
Pangunahing mandato ng bagong FOIC na palakasin ang defense effort ng Pilipinas sa karagatan ayon sa Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC), ani Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro.
“I stand humbly before all of you as I prepare in my capacity as the 41st Flag Officer In Command of the Philippine Navy, a role that is for me an honor and privilege of a lifetime. As directed by our Commander-in-Chief and aligned with policies from the Department of National Defense, we shall continue to embrace and prepare for our increasing role in external defense operations, especially with the adaption of the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept and in tandem with the Navy’s Active Archipelagic Strategy,” pahayag naman ni Ezpeleta.
