President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has appointed Vice Admiral Rommel Supangan as the new commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
Supangan has assumed the post as PCG commandant, succeeding Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, who retired on Monday, October 19.
During a press briefing in Malacañang, Palace Press Office Undersecretary Claire Castro announced Supangan’s appointment shortly before Marcos led Gavan’s retirement ceremony on Monday afternoon.
“Ngayong araw itinalaga ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. si incoming PCG commandant Vice Admiral Rommel A. Supangan,” Castro said.
“Siya po ay papalit kay Rt. Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan at magpapatuloy sa mandato ng Philippine coast Guard na pangalagaan ang ating mga baybayin at siguruhin ang kaligtasan at seguridad sa ating mga nasasakupang karagatan,” she added.
Supangan was welcomed by PCG officials ahead of the change-of-command ceremony, marking the transition in leadership of the maritime agency.
Before his appointment, Supangan served as commander of the Marine Environmental Protection Command from February to October 2026.
He also served as commander of the Coast Guard Fleet from June 2025 to October 2026 and as acting director of the Coast Guard Strategic Studies and International Affairs Center from June 2025 to February 2026.
A member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Marilag” Class of 1995, Supangan has served in the Coast Guard for more than three decades.
He earned a Master of Science in Maritime Affairs, majoring in Marine Environment and Ocean Management, from the World Maritime University in Sweden in 2008.
Supangan is also a recipient of the PMA Cavalier Award in the Coast Guard Operations Senior Officer category.
