Kagaoan heads Naval Forces Western Mindanao

March 8, 2019

Rear Admiral Erick Kagaoan assumed as the new head of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) in a ceremony in Zamboanga City on Thursday.

The change of command ceremony that was presided Flag Officer in Command, Philippine Navy Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad was held at Naval Station Romulo Espaldon, Bagong Calarian, Zamboanga City.

Vice Admiral Rene Medina said during the ceremony he relinquished the command of Naval Forces Western Mindanao to Kagaoan.

“Vice Admiral Empedrad handed over the command symbol to Rear Admiral Kagaoan, ushering him as the new commander of NFWM,” he said.

Medina said Kagaoan is a member of Philippine Military Academy class of 1987.

"He (Kagaoan) is a highly educated and trained naval officer both local and abroad. His dedication to his profession is reflected by the numerous awards he received that bespeaks of a noble and versatile naval officer that he is,” he said.

Medina said before taking his post in Naval Forces Western Mindanao, Kagaoan was the chief of naval staff, Philippine Navy.

“Rear Admiral Kagaoan held senior positions as the commander of Naval Forces Northern Luzon and director of Naval Management and Fiscal Office at Headquarters Philippine Navy,” he said.

“He also commanded seven Philippine Navy commissioned vessels and served in various capacities in the field of intelligence, controllership, and operations in the Philippine Coast Guard, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Fleet,” he added.

In his remarks, Kagaoan expressed his gratitude to President Rodrigo Duterte and the AFP leadership for the trust and confidence in appointing him as the commander of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao.

“Today, I will continue to follow through with all the set plans and thrusts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. I intend to continue ensuring the preparedness of our deployable forces whenever and wherever they are needed to conduct territorial defense, Internal Security, and other activities to support my Unified Command, the Western Mindanao Command,” he said.

“NFWM will support efforts to curb lawless elements and support advocacies as instruments of security and peace in the region. Having been deployed here four times before and this is my fifth deployment, I immersed on the complexities and challenges of this area,” he noted.

“NFWM, with a greater capacity to serve Western Mindanao, I pledge before all of you, that whatever I do as your new commander, it will be done for our beloved country. My performance will be based on the policy guidance and thrusts of the higher headquarters steered with our Sail Plan and the Active Archipelagic Defense Strategy,” he added. Robina Asido/DMS