New Navy chief to assume post Wednesday

MANILA, Philippines — Incoming Philippine Navy Chief Vice Admiral Jose Luis will assume his post in a change of command ceremony Wednesday afternoon at the PN headquarters in Roxas Boulevard.

Alano, current Commander of the AFP Central Command which holds jurisdiction over the Visayas region, will replace Vice Admiral Alexander Pama. Both are from the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1979.

The ceremony will be presided by President and Commander-in-Chief Benigno Aquino III, the Navy said in an advisory.

Pama served as the 32nd Flag Officer-in-Command for nearly two years.

Meanwhile, Alano, who will take the lead of the 26,000-strong Navy, will reach the mandatory age of retirement of 56 on May 1, 2014.