PMA alum, former Navy officer is DFA’s new spokesperson for maritime affairs

Meet diplomat Rogelio Villanueva Jr., a Philippine Navy Academy graduate who joins an extended listing of Philippine spokespersons for maritime points

As he waits to be launched to a room filled with journalists, Rogelio Villanueva Jr. stands at consideration on the sidelines of an undecorated corridor contained in the Division of Overseas Affairs (DFA) headquarters in Pasay Metropolis.

“Efficient diplomacy has additionally opened pathways for cooperation in important areas from coast guard communications to ocean meteorology, all aimed toward regional peace, stability, and prosperity,” mentioned Villanueva, the primary ever DFA spokesperson for maritime affairs.

Villanueva is Deputy Assistant Secretary of the DFA Maritime and Oceans Affairs Workplace (MOAO), a unit that handles maritime points, together with the West Philippine Sea.

His new function comes at a curious time. The Philippines, as chairperson of the Affiliation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), is making an attempt to navigate a near the Code of Conduct for the South China Sea (COC) talks.

Villanueva’s introduction as spokesperson additionally comes amid a weeks-long phrase battle between the Chinese language embassy in Manila and totally different Philippine authorities personalities and businesses.

Whereas the embassy has seemingly scaled down its rhetoric towards some businesses and elected officers, it has continued criticizing one other Philippine spokesperson, Commodore Jay Tarriela, who speaks for the Philippine Coast Guard on West Philippine Sea issues and the federal government’s transparency initiative or its name-and-shame marketing campaign to show China’s aggressive actions within the West Philippine Sea.

Villanueva didn’t make an express reference to Tarriela and declined to reply if his appointment as spokesperson was associated to the net quarreling between the Chinese language embassy and totally different authorities officers.

However within the DFA assertion, Villanueva famous: “The DFA acknowledges that coverage devices should work in tandem. Defensive capabilities and transparency serve important ends, however diplomacy stays indispensable for securing the nation’s strategic priorities.”

“[The] DFA will pursue its mandate patiently, resolutely, and with out fanfare. Progress could also be incremental, however lasting options are negotiated over time,” he added.

Villanueva’s background is uniquely fitted to his new function. Earlier than becoming a member of the international service in 2008, he was an officer within the Philippine Navy, and he additionally served within the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

“This has enriched my background and expertise and contributes to what I’m doing proper now in my duties and capabilities as a member of the Maritime and Oceans Affairs Workplace,” mentioned Villanueva, when requested about his expertise within the Navy and the PCG.

Villanueva graduated from the Philippine Navy Academy (PMA) in 1994. He later earned a Masteral Diploma in Maritime Administration from the World Maritime College.

Most of his profession within the DFA residence workplace has been dedicated to maritime and safety points. From 2009 to 2011, he was principal assistant underneath the now-defunct Workplace of the Undersecretary for Particular and Ocean Considerations, and was additionally director of the Intelligence and Safety Unit.

His international assignments have been to Lisbon, Vancouver, and most not too long ago to Frankfurt.

DFA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Angelica Escalona mentioned Villanueva’s new function was made to “give [maritime issues] the significance it deserves.” “Mas technical siya in comparison with me, so mas mabuti siguro na meron tayong spokesperson (He’s extra technical in comparison with me, so it’s higher to have a particular spokesperson),” mentioned Escalona.

Villanueva could be the DFA’s third spokesperson. Escalona speaks for your complete division, whereas Deputy Assistant Secretary Dominic Xavier Imperial is spokesperson for ASEAN.

He additionally shouldn’t be the primary maritime or West Philippine Sea-specific spokesperson of a authorities company. The previous Navy and PCG officer, actually, joins a full roster of Philippine authorities spokespersons particularly tasked to speak on maritime points.

Within the navy, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad is spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, a task that’s separate from the AFP spokesperson and the Navy spokesperson. Within the PCG, Tarriela co-exists alongside one other officer who speaks on PCG issues — together with maritime security and regulation enforcement — exterior the West Philippine Sea.

The Philippines additionally has a spokesperson for the Nationwide Maritime Council in Undersecretary Alexander “Alex” Lopez, who’s a retired vice admiral. Assistant Director Basic Cornelio H. Valencia Jr., in the meantime, is spokesperson for the Nationwide Safety Council, which additionally feedback on points regarding the West Philippine Sea and China’s aggression within the Philippines’ unique financial zone and close to options that it claims. – Rappler.com