 |
Robert Arugay Empedrad (born February 3,1964) is a retired Philippine Navy admiral who served as the Administrator of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) under the Duterte administration. [1] [2] He previously served as the Flag Officer-in-Command of the Philippine Navy from 2017 to 2020. He is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy "Sinagtala" Class of 1986. [3]
Robert Empedrad first studied at Tuguegarao North Central School,and at Cagayan National High School. He also studied Civil Engineering at) in Baguio and applied in the Philippine Military Academy in 1982 and graduated in 1986. He also earned a Master in Business Administration,at the Philippine Christian University,Dasmariñas,Cavite,and took the US Naval Staff Course at US Naval War College,in Newport,Rhode Island,as well as took the Senior Executive Course for National University and Senior Strategic Leadership Programme at the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom. [4] He also took up various courses such as the International Riverine and Coastal Operations at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado at San Diego,California;the Instructor’s Training Course at Naval Special Warfare Center in Coronado,California;the Hermeneutics and Bible Study Course and the Christian Teachers Training Course,both in Las Piñas City. [5]
He commanded various ships and naval task forces in the Philippine Navy,in leading ships like the BRP Felix Apolinario (PC-395),BRP Abraham Campo,BRP Magat Salamat (PS-20),BRP Iloilo,BRP Dagupan City (LS-551),and task forces in the Naval Forces Western Mindanao like the Naval Task Group 62.1,the Naval Task Group 62.2,and the Naval Task Group 72. [3] He also commanded the Naval Task Force Sea Hawk,where he led operations against smugglers with the assistance of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of the Department of Agriculture. He also led humanitarian operations during Tropical Storm Washi and Typhoon Bopha.
He also commanded various positions in the Philippine Navy such as,Chief of Staff of Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (2006–2007),Director,Naval Operations Center (2007),Assistant Chief of Naval Staff for Intelligence,N2 (2007–2009),Deputy Commander of Naval Intelligence Security Force (2009),Assistant Chief of Naval Staff for Personnel,N1 (2009–2011),Deputy Commander of Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (2011–2013),Commander,Bonifacio Naval Station (2013–2015),the Commander,Offshore Combat Force,Philippine Fleet (Feb 2015 –Dec 2016),the Deputy,Commander Philippine Fleet (Dec 2016 –Feb 2017) and the Deputy Chief of Staff for Reservist and Retirees Affairs,J9 at General Headquarters and Headquarters Service Command (GHQ &HSC). As well as the Chairman of Defense Acquisition System Assessment Team (DASAT),in charge of the updates on Navy Ships and the Frigate Acquisition Project,which came to a controversy that replaced his predecessor Vice Admiral Ronald Joseph Mercado for alleged insubordination over the controversy regarding the Jose Rizal-class frigates. [6] [7]
As Philippine Navy chief,he redesignated and downgraded the roles of the Navy's ships in order to prepare for the navy's modernization,as the navy awaits the delivery of the upcoming ships and retired 4 vintage ships:the BRP Rajah Humabon (PS-11),the BRP Sultan Kudarat (PS-22),BRP Cebu (PS-28),and the BRP Quezon (PS-70),along with two gunboats:the BRP Bienvenido Salting (PC-112),and the BRP Nicolas Mahusay (PC-119),which drew criticisms,due to the decreasing number of ships being used and being retired,despite having only a token of ships to fulfill the navy's mandate. During his term,the navy succeeded in acquiring the BRP Conrado Yap (PS-39),6 units the Multipurpose Assault Craft MK. 3 equipped with Spike MLS ER Launchers and Mini-Typhoon Weapon Stations,8 units of the KAAV7A1 Assault Amphibious Vehicles,5 TC-90 patrol aircraft,and 43 new vehicles. He also oversaw the donation of 4 Type 966Y class patrol boats from China. [8] [9] He also led overall naval operations during the 2020 Taal Volcano Eruption. [10] He retired from military service on February 3,2020,after reaching the mandatory military age of 56,and was replaced by then-Commander of the Philippine Fleet,Rear Admiral Giovanni Bacordo. [11] He was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte as the new administrator of the Maritime Industry Authority on March 2,2020. [12]
Left Side:
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  | |
 |  |  |
  |  |  |
 |  |  |
| 1st row | Commander Philippine Legion of Honor | 1 Outstanding Achievement Medal | 8 Distinguished Service Stars with three bronze anahaw clusters | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd row | 2 Distinguished Navy Cross medals with one bronze anahaw cluster | 1 Meritorious Achievement Medal | Gawad sa Kaunlaran medals with one bronze anahaw cluster | |||
| 3rd row | 2 Bronze Cross Medals | Military Merit medals with 2 bronze spearhead devices (27 total medals) | Military Merit medals with 4 silver and 1 bronze anahaw clusters (27 total medals) | |||
| 4th row | 1 Sagisag ng Ulirang Kawal | Military Civic Action Medals | 5 Military Commendation Medal with 4 bronze triangular devices | |||
| 5th row | Long Service Medals with two campaign star | Anti-dissidence Campaign Medal with two campaign star | Luzon Anti-Dissidence Campaign Medals | |||
| 6th row | Visayas Anti-Dissidence Campaign Medals | Mindanao Anti-Dissidence Campaign Medals with two campaign stars | Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation Operations Ribbon with three campaign stars | |||
Right Side:
 |  |  |
| 1st row | Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation | People Power I Unit Citation | People Power II Unit Citation | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Badges and Other Awards:
Combat Commander's Badge (Philippines) 
Naval War College Badge
Naval Surface Warfare BadgeHe is married to Blessilda Empedrad,and they have a son,Jelome. [6]
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are the military forces of the Philippines. It consists of three main service branches;the Army,the Air Force,and the Navy. The President of the Philippines is the Commander-in-Chief of the AFP and forms military policy with the Department of National Defense,an executive department acting as the principal organ by which military policy is carried out,while the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines serves as the overall commander and the highest-ranking officer in the AFP.
The Philippine Navy (PN) is the naval warfare service branch of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. It has an estimated strength of 24,500 active service personnel,including the 10,300-strong Philippine Marine Corps. It operates 90 combat vessels,16 auxiliary vessels,25 manned aircraft and 8 unmanned aerial vehicles. Tracing its roots from the Philippine Revolutionary Navy on May 20,1898,while its modern foundations were created during the creation of the Offshore Patrol on February 9,1939,the PN is currently responsible for naval warfare operations and maritime patrol missions within the Philippine Waters,as well as ensuring the protection of the Philippine's maritime interests,including the West Philippine Sea and Benham Rise.
Eduardo Manahan Año is a Filipino public official and retired general of the Philippine Army who currently serves as the National Security Adviser under the administration of President Bongbong Marcos since 2023. He previously served as Secretary of the Interior and Local Government in the Cabinet of President Rodrigo Duterte from 2018 to 2022,the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines from 2016 to 2017,and the Commanding General of the Philippine Army from 2015 to 2016. At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines,Año,along with the rest of the Philippine government's Cabinet Secretaries,became part of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases,a task force formed to advise the President on the strategies which would effectively manage the spread of COVID-19 in the country.
Delfin Negrillo Lorenzana,OLH,KGOR is a retired Philippine Army general who currently serves as the Chairman of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority since 2022. He previously served as Secretary of National Defense in the Cabinet of President Rodrigo Duterte from 2016 to 2022. He served in the Philippine Army from 1973 to 2004.
Teodoro Esteban López Calderón is a Spanish Navy Admiral General who serves as the 12th and current Chief of the Defence Staff of the Spanish Armed Forces since 27 January 2021. Previously,he served as Admiral Chief of Staff of the Navy from 2017 and 2021.
Cirilito Elola Sobejana is a retired Philippine Army general who served as the 55th Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines under President Rodrigo Duterte. He is also known for having been awarded the Armed Forces of the Philippines Medal of Valor in 1995 for his valiant actions in Basilan against the extremist guerrilla group Abu Sayyaf.
Rey Leonardo Borja Guerrero is a retired general of the Philippine Army serving as the Commissioner of the Bureau of Customs under the Duterte administration since 2018. He is a member of the PMA "Maharlika" Class of 1984. Previously,he was the administrator of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) from April to October 2018 and was the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines from October 2017 to April 2018.
Carlito Guancing Galvez Jr. is a retired Philippine Army general serving as the Senior Undersecretary and briefly as officer-in-charge of the Department of National Defense since 2023 and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process since 2018. He also served as the Chief Implementer of the Philippines' Declared National Policy Against COVID-19. In November 2020,he was appointed as the country's COVID-19 vaccine czar,and was responsible for leading the government's efforts in bringing into the country about 245.23 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines as of May 2022 beginning in 2021 despite the global vaccine shortage. Prior to this,he also previously served as the 50th Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines from April to December 2018.
Benjamin Rasgo Madrigal Jr. is a retired Philippine Army general serving as the Administrator of the Philippine Coconut Authority under the Duterte administration since January 2020. He previously served as the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines from December 2018 to September 2019. He is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy "Sandiwa" Class of 1985,along with his predecessor Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr.
Macairog Sabiniano Alberto is a Filipino retired general and diplomat who served as the former Commanding General of the Philippine Army. He is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy "Sinagtala" Class of 1986.
Rolando Joselito Delizo Bautista is a retired Filipino lieutenant general who served as the Secretary of Social Welfare and Development under the Duterte administration from 2018 to 2022. He held various positions in the military,such as the former Commanding General of the Philippine Army,commander of the Joint Task Force Marawi during the Battle of Marawi,and the Presidential Security Group.
Allan Ferdinand Valdez Cusi is a Filipino Admiral who served as the former Superintendent of the Philippine Military Academy after Lt. Gen. Ronnie Evangelista resigned over the hazing case and the Death of Darwin Dormitorio He is a graduate of the PMA "Sinagtala" Class of 1986.
Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Jamero Bacordo is a Filipino admiral who was the Chief of the Philippine Navy. He is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy "Hinirang" Class of 1987. Prior to his post,he served as the commander of the Philippine Fleet.
Gilbert Italia Gapay is a retired Philippine Army general who served as the 54th Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Prior to his appointment,he served as the 61st Chief of the Army and the commander of the Armor "Pambato" Division.
Admiral George Villareal Ursabia Jr. is a Filipino Admiral who served as the former Commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard. He is a member of the Philippine Military Academy "Hinirang" Class of 1987. Prior to his appointment,he served as commander of the Coast Guard Marine Environmental Protection Command,and the Task Group Laban COVID-19 under the Joint Task Force COVID Shield.
Vice Admiral Adeluis Santelices Bordado is a Filipino retired Admiral who served as the Flag Officer in-Command of the Philippine Navy from 8 June 2021 to 8 September 2022. Prior to his post,he served as the vice commander of the Philippine Navy,the Chief of Naval Staff and the AFP Education,Training and Doctrine Command (AFPETDC). He is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy "Maringal" Class of 1988.
Jose Calingasan Faustino Jr. is a retired Philippine Army general who previously served as Senior Undersecretary and officer-in-charge of the Department of National Defense.
'Leopoldo "Leo" Velarde Laroya' is a Filipino Admiral who served as the 28th Commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard. Prior to his promotion as commandant,he also served as the Deputy Commandant for Operations,and led three commands:the Maritime Safety Services Command,the Coast Guard Education,Training and Doctrine Command and the Maritime Security and Law Enforcement Command.
Artemio Manalo Abu is a retired Filipino admiral who was the 29th commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard. As commandant,he was the overall commander of the entire Coast Guard units and commands,and is also responsible for all operations within the Philippines' maritime jurisdictions. Prior to his post,he served as the commander of the Maritime Safety Services Command and the Coast Guard Education and Training Command.
Toribio Dulinayan Adaci Jr. is a Philippine Navy vice admiral who serves as the 40th and current Flag Officer-in-Command (FOIC) of the Philippine Navy. Prior to his appointment,Adaci previously commanded the Naval Forces Western Mindanao from 2020 to 2022,the Naval Installation Command,and Fleet-Marine Ready Force.
