The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has welcomed Commodore Algier Ricafrente PCG as its new Spokesperson starting today, 27 September 2024.

This occurred following the upcoming retirement of former Coast Guard Spokesperson, Rear Admiral Armando Balilo PCG, on Monday, 30 September 2024.

Aside from being the new Spokesperson, Commodore Ricafrente has also been appointed as the Coast Guard Public Affairs Service (CGPAS) Acting Commander. He also holds the Office of the Deputy Chief of Coast Guard Staff for International Affairs, CG-5.

Coast Guard Commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil L Gavan PCG, presided over the event witnessed by local and foreign media partners.

In his speech, Rear Admiral Balilo expressed sincere gratitude to CGPAS stakeholders, especially the men and women of the Coast Guard media, who support the Command’s information operations to expand public awareness on its plans, policies, and operations.

“Tuwing may krisis o problemang kinasasangkutan ang PCG o sinumang miyembro nito, lagi niyo kaming nilalapitan para malaman ang bahagi ng aming istorya. You always give us an opportunity to effectively manage all crises by reporting balanced, accurate, and truthful news reports,” he furthered.

Rear Admiral Balilo also urged CGPAS stakeholders to warmly welcome Commodore Ricafrente as the new Coast Guard Spokesperson and continue to support the PCG in the fulfillment of its mandated functions.

“I hope that this turnover ceremony will further ignite our desire to transform the nation through stories that are truthful, useful, and worthy of dissemination. Let us keep on strengthening our relationship as we work towards providing better service to the Filipino nation,” the former PCG Spokesperson ended.

Rear Admiral Balilo will retire after completing his mandatory service of 30 years. He was the PCG Spokesperson since 2003 and served 19 Coast Guard Commandants.

Aside from being the mouthpiece of the PCG, Rear Admiral Balilo also served as the Coast Guard Civil Relations Service (CGCRS) Commander.