Philippine Marine troops salute the flag while being lowered during sundown at the BRP Sierra Madre, a marine fleet detachment in Ayungin shoal. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
CAVITE, Philippines—Smiles ensued once the Chief Executive held in a high pedestal the outgoing and incoming Navy chiefs and the nine brave men that stood ground at the disputed islands.
President Benigno Aquino III praised Vice Admiral Luis Alano, the outgoing Philippine Navy Flag Officer in Command, and Rear Admiral Jesus Millan, the incoming Navy Chief, Wednesday at Naval Base Heracleo Alano, Sangley Point, Cavite.
He also commended the efforts of the nine military men who stood ground at the BRP Sierra Madre at the disputed Ayungin Shoal.
“As the guardians of an archipelago, the depth of the responsibility could never be discounted,” Aquino said during the turnover of leadership of the Philippine Navy. “You are the first barriers of the country against elements that try to enter the country and are the first defenders against terrorism.”
Aquino added that a Navy Chief should look at the big picture, quick, knows the implications of his actions.
“Not only should they go with the flow, but rally the troops for the betterment of the country,” Aquino said.
Aquino said that Navy Chiefs should be the embodiment of the traits he mentioned.
He said during Alano’s reign as Navy Chief, he never heard the Vice Admiral lose any hope during the toughest times of the country including the Zamboanga crisis, patrolling Philippine territories at the West Philippine Sea, the Cebu and Bohol earthquake, typhoon “Pablo” and Super Typhoon “Yolanda.”
“Let us remember that the Philippine Navy not only addresses the problem of the current time but also looks for solutions that would benefit us in the long run,” Aquino said. “And let us have faith that Rear Admiral Millan would continue to build the straight path for your organization.”
Aquino said Millan started from humble beginnings in the military and the versatility that he acquired when he also became a naval pilot molded him to be the leader that he is now.
“In the air, or in the water, Rear Admiral Millan has shown excellence as a soldier and as a leader,” Aquino said. “And even though he has attained so much, people told me that he is still very approachable and that his peers said that he could even add ‘Guidance Counselor’ as one of his jobs.”
“To Rear Admiral Millan, may you show your wisdom and abilities to inspire the Philippine Navy.”
Ayungin nine
Apart from the two Navy chiefs, Aquino also lauded the nine men that stood proud during their duty at the BRP Sierra Madre.
He said the original stay of the nine Marines would only last for three months, yet with the constant intervention of Chinese forces, their stay extended to five months.
“Everywhere they look, it’s the ocean,” said Aquino who compared the predicament of the nine Marines to the conditions that the characters in the movie Waterworld experienced.
“Not to mention the darkness and cold of living away from your home and family.”
He said he never received a complaint from the nine men even with their predicament.
“They even told me that ‘it’s not a problem, it’s our responsibility.'”
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