Navy commodore bids command farewell

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

FEATURE
Navy commodore bids command farewell
By Rhaydz B. Barcia, Correspondent

LEGAZPI CITY: As Navy Commodore Alberto Araojo bowed out from Philippine Navy service on Monday, he recalled the sacrifices, the nightmarish and unforgettable ordeals endured by navy servicemen in pursuit of their duties and responsibilities.

Araojo’s recollection and admiration for his brothers-in-arms was made before the presence of navy officers and non-commissioned member of Philippine Navy who attended the change of command held at the Naval Forces of Southern Luzon (NAVFORSOL) in Rawis village.

In his swan song, Araojo expressed his gratitude to several non-governmental organizations that had partnered with the Philippine Navy in reaching out to the poorest of the poor with medical and dental missions held in the remote areas of the six Bicol provinces.

He also announced that he was turning over P5.3 million of unutilized funds to his successor, and underscored that all the equipment, ships and watercraft of the naval command are in ready-for-sea status with highly improved serviceability.

Araojo noted that the naval service was a lot of sacrifices.

“There are more sacrifices and loneliness specially for those assigned on board ships. In my younger days and during the height of the Mindanao conflict, there were months or even years when we could not visit our family even for one day. Our worst nightmare then was guarding the drilling ships in western Palawan and other parts of the China Sea which continues until now,” Araojo continued.

“The only chance for us to see civilization then was when our ships ran out of fuel oil. Such loneliness is even more aggravated when the monsoon season struck creating mountainous waves for several weeks or even months. We could not leave to take shelter from the heavy weather because drilling ships are harassed by Chinese Navy ships every time we leave them unguarded,” Araojo recalled.

“Every time we conducted naval exercises with our neighboring countries, they always congratulate us for our expertise and teamwork. The anti-submarine warfare capabilities of our ships then were relatively at par with that of the US Navy ships.”

Araojo was the Sixth commander of the NAVFORSOL, a native of the island province of Catanduanes and served for 33 years, two months and 22 days.

While Araojo has retired, he still hopes that the armed forces would realize the modernization of the Philippine Navy. His successor Navy Commodore Joel Babas vowed that he would continue to implement the initiatives of Araojo.