By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has appointed a new commander for the Coast Guard District in Western Visayas (CGDWV) on Monday, November 13.

CGDWV commander, Captain Weniel Azcuna, replaced Commodore Arnaldo Lim as he formally stepped down from his post.

Azcuna previously served as the commander of the Coast Guard Station in Cebu City.

He was actively involved in the search and rescue operations as well as the clean-up operation in the aftermath of the collision of the ferry vessel M/V Thomas Aquinas and cargo ship M/V Sulpicio Express Siete off the coast of Cebu province’s Talisay City in 2013.

Azcuna also served as the technical adviser on maritime affairs of the Philippine Embassy in the United Kingdom in 2022, wherein he gave lectures on marine environment protection in relation to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The turnover ceremony, held at CGDWV’s headquarters in Iloilo City’s Bo. Obrero, was led by PCG deputy commandant for administration, Vice Admiral Allan Victor dela Vega.

Meanwhile, Lim received the PCG distinguished service medal and ribbon for his invaluable service as the PCG head in the region./DGB, WDJ