MANILA — The Philippine Navy (PN) held a joint change of chief of office ceremony for the offices of the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) and the Naval Inspector General (NIG) presided by the Navy flag officer in command, Vice Adm. Giovanni Carlo Bacordo at the PN headquarters on Saturday, 15 January 2021.
Out-going inspector general, Rear Adm. Nichols Driz formally succeeded Rear Adm. Adeluis Bordado as CNS who earlier assumed as the Navy’s vice commander. Driz subsequently relinquished his duties and responsibilities as NIG to Marine Brigadier Gen. Nestor Herico, the outgoing 3rd Marine Brigade commander.
Navy chief Bacordo in his speech vouched for the three officers honored during Saturday’s ceremony saying, “they have equipped themselves with both rich knowledge and leadership experience that will allow them to exercise their authorities well.”
“Congratulations on your new responsibilities…the Filipino people expect a lot from you,” added Bacordo.
Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Makatao” Class of 1989 alumnus Rear Adm. Driz is a seasoned naval officer who has built a distinguished and remarkable career holding positions of major responsibility, notable of which include being the former commander of Naval Installation Command, Naval Forces Northern Luzon and Naval Intelligence and Security Force. He also served as the Assistant Chief of Naval Staff for Intelligence and the Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations in the higher headquarters.
On the other hand, Brigadier General Herico of the PMA “Maringal” Class of 1988 is the former head of the Joint Task Force Peacock instrumental in safeguarding vital installations in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan. He finished various training locally and abroad, including a Transnational Security Cooperation Course at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies in Honolulu, Hawaii and the International Intelligence Fellows Program at the Defense Intelligence Agency in Washington, USA.
The CNS administers the PN headquarters staff — the central nervous system of the Navy — in the accomplishment of the respective mission while NIG oversees the operational readiness of all PN units and offices, morale, and discipline and compliances to prescribed PN policies, rules, and regulations. (ARWEN PASCUA/AI/MTVN)
