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Newly appointed Vice Admiral Leopoldo Laroya is the 28th commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard
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He replaces Admiral George Ursabia, Jr., who officially retired on September 8
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A multi-awarded officer, Laroya was previously PCG deputy commandant for operations and had taken various roles in PCG
Vice Admiral Leopoldo Laroya has been appointed 28th commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) by President Rodrigo Duterte.
Laroya replaces Admiral George Ursabia, Jr., whose mandatory retirement took effect on September 8.
Laroya graduated from the Philippine Military Academy as a member of the “Maringal” Class of 1988. He completed his post-graduate studies at the World Maritime University in Malmö, Sweden, and earned in 2000 a degree in Master in Maritime Safety and Environmental Protection.
Before his new appointment, he was the PCG deputy commandant for operations and had previously taken various major positions in the organization, such as commander of the Maritime Safety Services Command, theCoast Guard Education, Training and Doctrine Command and the Maritime Security and Law Enforcement Command.
He served as district commander of the PCG districts in Western Visayas, Northwestern Luzon, Southwestern Mindanao, National Capital Region-Central Luzon, and Bicol.
He earned the most coveted Command at Sea badge, having commanded the two flagship coast guard search and rescue vessels (SARV) BRP Batangas (SARV-004) and BRP Nueva Vizcaya (SARV-3502).
Laroya has received numerous awards, including the Coast Guard Legion of Honor, Bronze Cross medal, Outstanding Achievement medals, Superior Achievement medals, Coast Guard Search and Rescue medals, and Military Merit medals.
