President Benigno Aquino III ordered newly installed Navy chief Rear Admiral Caesar Taccad to maximize the use of naval capabilities in order to address security challenges.
Taccad assumed post on Monday as the 35th Flag Officer in Command, replacing Vice Admiral Jesus Millan, who reached the mandatory retirement age of 56.
“Di biro ang bago mong tungkulin: Masalimuot ang mga pagsubok na hinaharap ng ating bansa. Kailangan mong balansehin ang kapasidad ng ating hukbo sa pagtugon sa mga banta sa ating seguridad,” he said in his speech at the Navy change of command at the Navy Headquarters in Roxas Boulevard.
(Your new job is not easy. Our country faces tough challenges ahead. You need to balance the capacity of our force in responding to security threats.)
Aquino expressed his confidence that Taccad will be able to lead the Navy. “Tiwala naman akong tulad ng ipinamalas mo hanggang sa puntong ito ng iyong karera, higit ka pang magpapakitang gilas, at titiyakin mong susulong ang Navy Strategic Sail Plan 2020 ng ating Hukbong Dagat,” he said.
(I trust that from what you have shown up to this point in your career, you will show more resolve and will ensure the forward movement of Strategic Sail Plan 2020 of the Navy.)
Taccad will assume the leadership of the Navy amid China’s expansion in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), one of the biggest security challenges the country is facing.
President Benigno Aquino III with Vice Admiral Jesus Millan and newly installed Navy chief Rear
Admiral Caesar Taccad
Taccad, a member of Philippine Military Academy Class of 1982, was previously the vice commander before he was named Navy chief.
Aquino said he did not personally know Taccad but in jest, said that he was the George Clooney and Albert Einstein of the service.
“Rear Admiral Taccad, gaya ng mga nauna sa iyo, hindi rin kita personal na nakilala o nakakasama. Ang balita lang sa akin, ikaw daw ang pinaghalong George Clooney at Albert Einstein sa serbisyo…Sabi po nila, dahil sa celebrity look mo, marami raw ang nagpapa-selfie sa ’yo; itinuturing ka ring henyo dahil sa talas ng isip mo, partikular na sa mathematics. Pero nang makapanayam kita, isang pambihirang katangian ang nakita kong higit na nangibabaw sa iyo: ang pagiging simple at mapagkumbaba,” Aquino said.
The President also expressed hope that the new Navy chief would continue to implement the Navy Strategic Sail Plan 2020.
In return, Taccad said he would lead the Navy towards “continued transformation, modernization and professionalization and overall progress in order to provide a maritime defense and security that is expected from a strong and formidable navy.”
“In the end with a working readiness sustainment system, our units when deployed shall never be hesitant to respond but rather they shall be confident to go into harm’s way whether an enemy of the state or a natural calamity, knowing fully well that their ships, equipment and knowhow will push them through victory,” Taccad also said.
He also called on his men to be ready to respond to the nation, for maritime defense and security, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, APEC 2015 and next year’s elections.
Originally posted: 06:36 PM August 10th, 2015