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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 001825 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EAP 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/31/2018 
TAGS: MARR MASS MCAP PREL RP
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT ARROYO NAMES NEW NAVAL CHIEF 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
¶1.  (U)  Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo 
approved the designation of Rear Admiral Ferdinand Golez as 
the new Flag Officer-in-Command for the Philippine Navy, 
effective August 2.  The appointment was announced by 
Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro July 29. 
Golez will replace Vice Admiral Rogelio Calunsag, who is 
reaching the compulsory retirement age of 56.  Teodoro and 
the Armed Forces of the Philippines Board of Generals had 
recommended Golez, along with two other candidates -- Rear 
Admiral Emilio Marayag and Rear Admiral Geronimo Defensor -- 
to President Arroyo for consideration as Naval Chief.  All 
three belong to the Philippine Military Academy Class of 
1976, many of which are now in key positions in the military, 
including Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces General 
Alexander Yano. 
 
¶2.  (C)  Admiral Golez is currently the Commander of the 
Naval Education and Training Command of the Philippine Navy. 
He is well-known to the Mission and has visited U.S. Naval 
ships, including a submarine and the USNS MERCY, at the 
invitation of the Mission several times in the last year.  He 
is a thoughtful pro-U.S. officer with significant exposure to 
the U.S. military through training courses and personal 
contact.  Golez is expected to serve as Navy Chief until May 
16, 2010, when he reaches mandatory retirement age of 56. 
 
¶3.  (C)  Remarking on his appointment, Golez said he would 
pursue greater interoperability between the Philippine Navy 
and Marine Corps through the Fleet-Marine concept, which will 
strengthen the Philippines' ability to project force 
throughout the archipelago.  He also stressed his intent to 
lead by example and the need to develop the Navy's human 
capital with training and more advanced equipment, while at 
the same time actively pressing for capability upgrades to 
the fleet. 
 
¶4.  (C)  COMMENT:  Golez is seen by some in the Philippine 
government as an interesting choice to be Navy Chief.  He is 
the brother of Philippine Congressman Roilo Golez, a former 
National Security Adviser to President Arroyo, and now a 
fierce critic of her administration.  Despite his political 
connections, military insiders claim his appointment over two 
other candidates who appeared to be the top contenders is 
further evidence of Armed Forces Chief Alexander Yano's 
commitment to uphold meritocracy in promotions. END COMMENT. 
 
--------------------------------- 
BIOGRAPHIC NOTES ON ADMIRAL GOLEZ 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶5.  (U)  Prior to his present position at the Naval Education 
and Training Command, Admiral Golez held the following 
significant assignments:  Assistant Chief for Intelligence 
and concurrent Commander of the Naval Intelligence and 
Security Force; Assistant Chief of Naval Staff for 
Operations; Commander, Patrol Force, Philippine Fleet; 
Commander, Naval Forces Southern Luzon; and Commander, Naval 
Forces Eastern Mindanao. 
 
¶6.  (C)  Admiral Golez has undergone various military 
education and training, including:  the Naval Command Course 
at the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island; the 
Psychological Operations Course at the U.S. Army John F. 
Kennedy Special Warfare School in Fort Bragg, North Carolina; 
the oyal Australian Navy Staff Course; and the Philippne 
Naval Command and Staff Course.  He is the reipient of 
various military awards, decorations, ad commendations 
including four Distinguished Serice Stars, one Outstanding 
Achievement Medal, and one Distinguished Navy Cross. 
 
¶7.  (U)  PERSONAL DATA: Admiral Golez is married to the 
former Shirly Mamaril.  They have a daughter and two sons, 
one of whom is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, 
Class of 2003. 
 
¶8.  (U)  EDUCATION:  Philippine Military Academy, Class of 
1976; Ateneo de Manila School of Business, Masters in 
Business Administration; Queensland University of Technology 
in Australia, Certificate in Business Management. 
 
 
Visit Embassy Manila's Classified SIPRNET website: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/manila/index. cfm 
 
MANILA 00001825  002 OF 002 
 
 
 
You can also access this site through the State Department's 
Classified SIPRNET website: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/ 
KENNEY