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PCOO chief, OCD exec commissioned in Navy reserves

By Priam Nepomuceno

October 3, 2020, 10:56 am

<p><strong>NEW NAVY RESERVISTS</strong>. PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar (2nd from left) and Office of Civil Defense Operations Service Director Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro (2nd from right) pose after donning their reservist ranks of commander and lieutenant commander, respectively, in a ceremony at the Philippine Navy headquarters on Friday (Oct. 2, 2020). In his speech, Andanar committed to further serving and contributing to the preservation of peace and harmony for Filipinos and the country.<em> (Photo courtesy of the Naval Public Affairs Office)</em></p>

NEW NAVY RESERVISTS. PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar (2nd from left) and Office of Civil Defense Operations Service Director Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro (2nd from right) pose after donning their reservist ranks of commander and lieutenant commander, respectively, in a ceremony at the Philippine Navy headquarters on Friday (Oct. 2, 2020). In his speech, Andanar committed to further serving and contributing to the preservation of peace and harmony for Filipinos and the country. (Photo courtesy of the Naval Public Affairs Office)

MANILA – Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Jose Ruperto Martin Andanar and Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Director Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro were formally commissioned as Philippine Navy (PN) reservist officers on Friday.

In a statement forwarded to reporters, PN public affairs office chief, Lt. Commander Maria Christina Roxas, said the commissioning and donning of ranks ceremony took place at the Navy headquarters in Naval Station Jose Andrada, Roxas Boulevard, Manila.

Roxas said PN Chief, Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo, led the donning of ranks for Andanar and Alejandro, who were commissioned in the Navy reserves as commander and lieutenant commander, respectively.

Commander Andanar is also a TV news anchor, radio commentator, podcaster, video and audio blogger, and a voice-over artist.

As head of the PCOO, his initiatives include the Freedom of Information, Presidential Task Force on Media Security, the Mindanao Media Hub, and Government Strategic Communications Academy.

In his speech, Andanar said as a commander in the Navy reserve force, he is determined “to further serve and to contribute to the preservation of peace and harmony for Filipinos and for our nation.”

He also said he is ready “to help promote our collective security against those who continue to undermine our national integrity and interests.”

Meanwhile, Lt. Commander Alejandro is a career executive service officer and director of the Operations Service of the OCD, working as a public servant for more than two decades.

He was former director of the Administrative and Financial Management Service and Policy Development and Planning Service of the office, having been appointed as Director III by President Rodrigo Duterte in 2016.

Alejandro recounted that during his stint as director of OCD 5 (Bicol), he witnessed “the dedication and professionalism of the gallant sailors and marines of the PN.”

“They always place their duty first among others. Thus, I am proud, a witness of the heroism of the Navy. Now I stand with you together, as a member of the Philippine Navy Reserve Force,” he said.

Meanwhile, Bacordo described the two government officials and now Navy reservists as "individuals who are ready to take on responsibilities.”

“Your present roles in the government are instrumental in keeping the integrity of our institutions,” he said. “You are already civil servants on your own but still chose to add another commitment (on) your list."

Bacordo noted that joining the Philippine Navy as a reserve force entails a deep understanding of their role in the accomplishment of the AFP’s over-all mission.

“We are indeed deeply grateful for choosing to work and nurture important Navy objectives with us," he said.

PN reservists play an important role as force multipliers as they are engaged in medical and civic action programs, as well as humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations. (PNA)

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