MANILA, Philippines—The No. 4 official in the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is now a commodore.
President Benigno Aquino III promoted Capt. Joselito F. de la Cruz, the chief of Coast Guard Staff, to the next higher rank on June 6, but was announced by Malacañang only on Friday.
Cruz is among the four high-ranking officials of PCG, which is under the supervision of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).
The other PCG top brass are Rear Adm. Rodolfo Isorena, the commandant, and his vice commandants—Rear Admirals Luis Tuason Jr. (operations) and Lino Dabi (administration).
The 48-year-old De la Cruz belongs to Philippine Military Academy Class of 1988. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from St. Louis University.
He rose from the ranks, first as ensign in 1988, lieutenant junior grade in 1991, lieutenant senior grade in 1995, lieutenant commander in 2000, and commander in 2003.
Since January, he has been PCG chief of staff and commander of the North Eastern Luzon Coast Guard, which covers the waters of Region II and Aurora provinces.
He was promoted to the rank of captain on Sept. 9, 2008.