Philippine Coast Guard chief, 2 others promoted

MANILA, Philippines - President Arroyo has promoted to the rank of admiral (four stars) Philippine Coast Guard commandant Vice Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo, the PCG said yesterday.

In a press statement, the PCG said Tamayo, 53, was promoted last March 9.

Tamayo is a graduate of the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut and an adopted member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) class of 1979. He was appointed as the 22nd commandant of the PCG in June 2008.

Aside from Tamayo, the other high-ranking PCG officers who were also promoted were Rear Admiral Ramon Liwag, vice commandant for operations, to the rank of vice admiral; and Commodore Edmund Tan, chief of Maritime Security and Law Enforcement Command, to the rank of rear admiral.

The President approved their promotions following a recommendation from Department of Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza. The PCG is an agency under the DOTC.

The three officials will receive their additional star during a simple ceremony today at the PCG headquarters in Port Area, Manila.– Helen Flores