New Coast Guard commandant named

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has appointed Vice Admiral Rommel Supangan as the new commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), replacing Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, who retired yesterday after three years in the post.

Supangan, a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Marilag Class of 1995, pledged to continue protecting the country’s maritime interests amid territorial tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

In his speech during the PCG change of command and retirement ceremony at the PCG headquarters in Manila, Marcos expressed confidence that Supangan’s decades of experience in maritime operations and leadership had prepared him for the position.

“I am confident that you will build on the accomplishments of your predecessor, further strengthening the Philippine Coast Guard with the full support of this administration,” Marcos said.

Before his appointment, Supangan served as commander of the Marine Environmental Protection Command from February to October 2026 and commander of the Coast Guard Fleet from June 2025 to October 2026. He also served as acting director of the Coast Guard Strategic Studies and International Affairs Center and previously headed Coast Guard District Palawan.

Supangan outlined four strategic pillars that will guide his leadership, including effective maritime governance, institutional transformation and good governance, modernization and capacity building and strategic partnerships and cooperation.

Under his maritime governance agenda, Supangan said the PCG would continue conducting sovereign patrols, particularly in the WPS, to support the government’s efforts to assert the country’s sovereignty and sovereign rights.

“The PCG’s sovereign patrols, particularly in the West Philippine Sea, will support the whole-of-government approach to assert our sovereignty and sovereign rights. We will stand on what is ours, and we will do so with dignity, integrity and absolute resolve,” he said.

“As we face an era defined by shifting geopolitical tides and escalating maritime vulnerabilities, the PCG must stand as an unyielding vanguard, resolute in action, governance and compassionate in service,” he added.

Supangan holds a degree in Naval System Engineering from the PMA and a Master of Science in Maritime Affairs, major in Marine Environment and Ocean Management, from the World Maritime University in Sweden.

Marcos paid tribute to Gavan for leading the PCG with dedication, professionalism and “a firm commitment to protecting our people and our waters.”

During Gavan’s term, the Coast Guard conducted nearly 5,000 search and rescue responses, rescuing 22,784 people.

“Beyond search and rescue, the Coast Guard continued to safeguard millions of passengers, protect our maritime interests and strengthen cooperation with international partners,” Marcos said.

In his valedictory address, Gavan reported to Marcos that the country had not lost an inch or centimeter of its territory and jurisdiction during his three-year term.

“Amidst the geopolitical challenges in our time, the President has given the Coast Guard the very critical role to ensure that we do not ‘lose a square inch’ of our territory and jurisdiction, on that, Sir, I have led the Coast Guard guided on the principles of responsibility, good governance, leadership by example and gratitude,” Gavan said.

“Mr. President, I am here to report back,” he added. “The order, ‘Not to lose an inch nor a centimeter of our territory and jurisdiction, is properly complied with, Sir!’”

Under Gavan, the PCG adopted “white hull” diplomacy in dealing with tensions in the WPS, using a humanitarian and rules-based approach to protect the country’s maritime interests.

The agency also adopted the Organized National Engagement at Sea concept, which helped clarify and harmonize the roles of military, law enforcement and civilian maritime agencies.