Former Navy chief named OIC of DND's veteran affairs department

MANILA, Philippines - A former Navy chief has been named officer-in-charge of the Defense department office handling veterans and retirees’ affairs.

Jesus Millan, who retired from the military service last August, is now the officer-in-charge of the Office of the Undersecretary for Public, Veterans and Retiree Affairs. The office supervises the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office and the Public Affairs Service of the Defense department

Millan replaced former Defense Undersecretary Eduardo Batac, a retired Air Force colonel who resigned from his post last July allegedly due to health reasons.

Defense department public affairs chief Arsenio Andolong said Defense Secretary Voltaire Gamin has recommended Millan’s appointment to President Aquino. The former Navy chief will have the rank of undersecretary once the president signs his appointment papers.

Andolong described Millan as “firm but approachable.”

Millan is a graduate of Philippine Military Academy class ’82. He assumed as chief of the country’s naval forces on April 30, 2014 and retired from the service on Aug. 10, 2015.  

Millan has commanded several vessels and has received various military awards including the Distinguished Navy Cross, Distinguished Service Star and Bronze Cross.

He has also occupied key military posts including commander of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao, Chief of Naval Staff and chief of the Naval Reserve Command.