REAR ADMIRAL WILLIAM MASINLOC MELAD PCG is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) and a member of the prestigious “Matikas” – Class of 1983. He is the 26th Commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard.

Prior to his current position, he commanded major units of the PCG. Among these are: District Commander of Coast Guard District Central Visayas with jurisdiction over whole of region VII; Coast Guard District Eastern Visayas in acting capacity covering region VII; Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog covering Region IV-A and part of region IV-B; Coast Guard District Western Visayas covering Region VI; and Coast Guard District Northern Luzon with jurisdiction over Region I and II. He was also entrusted with position of major responsibility in the PCG such as the Commander of Coast guard Education and training Command and as the Chief of Coast Guard Staff of the PCG.

After being commissioned in the Philippine Navy (PN) in 1983, he was assigned to navy vessels which patrolled the areas of West Philippine Sea, Palawan, Bicol and Southern Luzon. He was also assigned as Operations Officer of the Presidential Yacht (BRP Ang Pangulo) in 1987. He commanded three Coast Guard Search and Rescue Vessels which are the primary ship for operations of the Coast Guard namely: BRP San Juan (SARV 001), BRP EDSA II (SARV 002) and BRP Nueva Vizcaya (SARV 3502) where he earned the most coveted Command-At-Sea-Badge.

RAdm Melad is a holder of Masters of Science Degree in Maritime Safety Administration (MSA) from the Word Maritime University (WMU) in Malmo, Sweden. His after Foreign schooling and trainings are: Foreign Officers Supplementary List Executive Course (FOSLEX) in Australian Service School, Australia and Coast Guard Administration with the Japan Coast Guard in Japan. His local career courses and Schoolings are: Naval Officers Qualification Course “A” where he graduated number 1 in the Class and receive several merits; and Naval Command and General Staff Course whrere he is placed number 3 in the class.

RAdm Melad has earned various awards and decorations from the PCG and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in recognition of his outstanding performance in the Coast Guard and  Naval service. These are testament to the many challenges he hurdled and the accomplishments in the various positions he handled. Some of the awards he received are the (2) Coast Guard Legions of Honor and Ribbon with Degree of Maginoo, (3) Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal, (13) Military Meritorious Medal, (1) Search and rescue Medal, (8) Commendation Medal and ribbon, (4) Gawad sa Kaunlaran, (1) Military Civic Action Medal, (1) long Service Medal with First Bronce Star, (1) Luzon Campaign Medal, (1) Visayan Campaign Medal,  (1) Anti-Dissidence Medal and Ribbon, and PCG Eligibility Badge.