PCG commandant to retire on Oct. 2

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) commandant Admiral Rodolfo Isorena has opted to retire on Oct. 2, more than three weeks before his 56th birthday.

Isorena will celebrate his birthday on Oct. 26, but he opted to retire on Oct. 2 due to “stress” at work.

He said he really wanted to retire this month to spend quality time with his family, but President Aquino did not allow him.

“I am tired. I just want to rest. I went through a lot of stress…I don’t want a 24/7 duty anymore. It is very stressing. There were instances when in the middle of the night my cell phone would ring and when my phone rings during those times it means a disaster happened. It is very stressful,” he added.

Isorena already submitted to the President a shortlist of five PCG senior officials whom the President could consider to take over the PCG leadership.

Isorena is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy and belongs to Sandigan Class of 1982.

Isorena said that while he will be retiring early, he has no unfinished business at the PCG.

With the safe release of Seaman First Class Rod Allain Pagaling and Seaman Second Class Gringo Villaruz who were taken hostage by the Abu Sayyaf Group in May, Isorena said he could now heave a sigh of relief.

“I am very happy when I learned last Thursday that they were found alive. Now I would be leaving without any unfinished business,” he added.

But Isorena admitted that his only disappointment is the capsizing of the ferry M/B Kim Nirvana-B off the coast of Ormoc City in July that killed 61 people.

“My incumbency was very smooth, that is why I even told President Aquino during the last time we talked, that during my incumbency it was only in the M/B Kim Nirvana-B sinking when we were heavily attacked precisely because there were excess passengers. In all other incidents, there were no strong criticisms,” he said.

Isorena also maintained that he will be leaving the PCG as a “very strong” agency and he considers this as his biggest accomplishment.

“If you will see our sea, air and land mobility, they have greatly improved,” he added.

The PCG has acquired 300 aluminum boats, 40 rubber boats, more than 30 Innova Toyota vehicles, 10 vessels from Japan, two helicopters, 15 units of 6x6 light trucks, 100 motorcycles and new diving equipment.

The PCG also purchased from France four brand new units of 24-meter vessels and one 82-meter vessel, which will be the biggest in its fleet.

The PCG is also improving its district bases in Bicol, Cagayan, La Union, Zamboanga and Taguig City.