New set of naval officers welcomed

By Francis Wakefield The Philippine Navy (PN) welcomed to its rank new set of officers in a graduation ceremony held at the Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) in San Antonio, Zambales on Friday, December 14. Navy Flag Officer in Command, Vice Adm. Robert A..Empedrad, along with Commander of the NETC, Rear Adm. Allan Ferdinand V. Cusi, witnessed the commencement exercise of 29 graduates composing the Naval Officer Candidate Course (NOCC) Class 31 and four individuals who took up PN Scholarship Qualification Course. Among the 33 graduates, nine will join the rank of the Philippine Marine Corps. NOCC is the other source of commissioned officers of the PN aside from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA). Commander Jonathan V. Zata, director of the Naval Public Affairs Office, said the new set of officers bolsters the service command's human resource. "The formal entry of these probationary ensigns/second lieutenants to naval profession bolsters the command’s human resource comprised of highly-competent and motivated professionals, an indispensable requirement for the realization of its vision of becoming stronger and more credible organization," Zata said.