Ex-military official Lopez named as National Maritime Council spokesman

FILE PHOTO: Western Command chief Vice Admiral Alexander Lopez in 2015 giving a traditional “talk to men” to the soldiers stationed in Pag-asa Island, one of the Philippine detachments in Kalayaan Island Group in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has named former military official Alexander Lopez as the spokesperson of the National Maritime Council (NMC).

According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), Lopez’s appointment was finalized last August 6.

“Lopez, a former military officer, will speak on behalf of the NMC on issues surrounding the West Philippine Sea (WPS),” the PCO said in a statement.

Prior to his appointment, Lopez served as an undersecretary of the Department of Energy from 2018 to 2022.

He also served as commander of the Western Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) from 2014 to 2016 as well as Deputy Chief of Staff for Education and Training (J8) of the AFP.

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As a military man, the PCO said Lopez was the commander of Fleet-Marine Ready Force and Joint Task Force Malampaya; Chief of Naval Staff for Operations, N3; and Philippine Defense and AFP Attaché in Singapore.

He is also the former Deputy Chief of Naval Staff for Intelligence, N2; Chief of the Foreign Training Division, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Education and Training; and Chief, Manpower and Organization Division, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations.

He also served as Chief of Fleet Staff for Operations, F3; Commanding Officer (Philippine Navy Commissioned Vessels); Executive Officer (Philippine Navy Vessels); and Commander, Naval Intelligence and Security Units.

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