By LYJAH TIFFANY BONZO, GMA News
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Malacañang has named Vice Admiral Rommel Supangan as the new commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), replacing retired Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan.
During a press briefing on Monday, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said Supangan was appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“Ngayong araw ay itinalaga ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. si incoming PCG Commandant… Vice Admiral Rommel Supangan,” Castro said.
(Today, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. appointed incoming PCG Commandant… Vice Admiral Rommel Supangan.)
“... Siya po ay papalit kay Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan at magpapatuloy sa mandato ng Philippine Coast Guard na pangalagaan ang ating baybayin at siguruhin ang kaligtasan at seguridad sa ating mga nasasakupang karagatan. Congratulations po kay Vice Admiral Rommel Supangan,” she added.
(...He will replace Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan and continue the mandate of the Philippine Coast Guard to safeguard our shores and ensure safety and security in our maritime domain. Congratulations to Vice Admiral Rommel Supangan.)
Supangan is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy "Marilag" Class of 1995, according to the Palace.
In 2008, he earned his master's degree in Maritime Affairs, majoring in Marine Environment and Ocean Management, from the World Maritime University in Sweden.
Before his appointment as PCG Commandant, Supangan served as commander of the Marine Environmental Protection Command from February 2026 to October 2026.
During his service in the Coast Guard, he also served as commander of the Coast Guard Fleet from June 2025 to October 2026 and as acting director of the Coast Guard Strategic Studies and International Affairs Center from June 2025 to February 2026.
Supangan is also a recipient of the PMA Cavalier Award for Coast Guard Operations (Senior Officer Category), as well as the Coast Guard District Palawan Award with Commandant PCG Unit citation and streamer.
On Monday, Marcos led the PCG Change of Command and Retirement Ceremony of Gavan at South Harbor in Port Area, Manila.
Appointed exactly three years ago in 2023, Gavan served as the 30th commandant of the PCG. —RF, GMA News