MANILA – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will soon have a new chief after the retirement of its Commandant Admiral Artemio Abu next month, with Malacañang eyeing five senior officers as his successor.

In a statement on Wednesday, PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armando Balilo said Abu is set to retire on Oct. 19 after serving for 18 months as the PCG’s chief.

Those nominated for the post are Vice Admirals Rolando Lizor Punzalan, Ronnie Gil Gavan, Joseph Coyme Allan Victor Dela Vega and Roy Echeverria.

“The five candidates will undergo a series of interviews and will face the senior leadership of the Department of Transportation before endorsing their names to the Office of the President,” Balilo said.

He noted that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., as the appointing authority, could still choose among qualified flag-rank officers of the PCG, aside from the five nominees.

Punzalan is currently the PCG Deputy Commandant for Operations and a member of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Tanglaw Diwa Class of 1992.

On the other hand, Gavan is the PCG’s number three as the Deputy Commandant for Administration and a member of the PMA Maalab Class of 1993.

Coyme serves as the Commander of the Maritime Services Command and belongs to PMA Bantay Laya Class of 1994.

Dela Vega is the Commander of Weapons, Electronics, and Information Systems and a member of the PMA Class of 1993.

Meanwhile, Echeverria serves as Commander of Maritime Security and Law Enforcement Command and Director of the National Coast Watch Center. He is also a member of the PMA Class of 1993. (PNA)