NEW NAVFORCEN CHIEF. Philippine Navy Acting Flag Officer in Command, Rear Admiral Rommel Jude G. Ong (center), hands over the Naval Forces Central (Navforcen) command flag to Commodore Dorvin Jose L. Legaspi (right), who replaced Commodore Loumer P. Bernabe as Navforcen commander, in a change of command ceremony on March 29, 2019, at the Naval Base Rafael Ramos, Barangay Looc, Lapu-Lapu City. The Naval Forces Central supervises all naval operations in the three regions in the Visayas. (Photo by Naval Forces Central PAO)
CEBU CITY – The Philippine Navy has named a new commander, who will oversee naval operations in the Visayas.
The navy’s acting Flag Officer in Command (FOIC), Rear Admiral Rommel Jude G. Ong, presided over the change of command ceremony Friday, handing over the command’s flag to new Naval Forces Central (Navforcen) commander, Commodore Dorvin Jose L. Legaspi.
Legaspi took the helm as the highest naval commander in the Visayas, supervising naval operations within the Navforcen operational jurisdiction, replacing Commodore Loumer P. Bernabe, in a rite held at the Naval Base Rafael Ramos, Barangay Looc, Lapu-Lapu City.
Ong gave recognition to Bernabe’s accomplishments as the Navy’s top naval officer supervising the naval operations in the Eastern, Western, and Central Visayas regions.
Bernabe held the post as Navforcen commander for two years and six months, Ong said.
Ong noted Bernabe’s major accomplishments as Navforcen chief, including the PN's yearly participation in Cebu’s fiesta in honor of Señor Santo Niño.
The Navforcen has actively been participating in the fluvial parade for the holy image of the Santo Niño, held on the third Saturday of every January.
Naval officers and men, as well as its reservists, also join other branches of service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in securing Sinulog parade routes.
In coordination with its Naval Reserve Center stationed at the pier area here, Navforcen has also been active in medical and civic action missions, such as giving free medical check-up, dental service, feeding, free haircut, and river clean-up.
Ong also recognized Navforcen’s active role in ensuring safety and security of the Visayan maritime domain.
Recognizing his meritorious and valuable services in taking major responsibility of elevating the Visayas region’s efforts to address maritime security, Bernabe was pinned with a Distinguished Service Medal.
After his stint at the Navforcen, Bernabe will assume on Sunday (March 1) his new post as the Philippine Navy’s Chief of Naval Staff, in a ceremony at the Headquarters, Philippine Navy, Naval Station Jose Andrada, Roxas Boulevard, Manila.
Bernabe, a native of Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, is a member of Philippine Military Academy “Hinirang” Class of 1987.
In last Friday’s ceremony, Navforcen personnel greeted Bernabe as he was celebrating his birthday that day.
Legaspi is a member of the PMA “Makatao” Class of 1989 and the former Deputy Commander of the AFP’s Western Command before assuming post as commander of Navforcen.
Ensign Maria Amanda Precious Zamuco, Navforcen public affairs officer, said in a statement that the “change of command ceremony is a time-honored tradition in the military service that represents a formal transfer of authority and responsibility for a unit from one commander to another."
Zamuco said the rites also emulates the important ability of each naval officer to assume post to better serve the organization.
She said the “Philippine Navy is a dynamic organization that continuously enhances its efforts in creating a strong and credible organization, and an armed forces source of national pride.”
Zamuco said the Central Command of the AFP, through the Navforcen, “will continue building strong partnerships to create a maritime environment suitable for our country’s economic growth, development and sustainment, and ensuring the security of the maritime domain.” (PNA)
