Robert Empedrad

Robert Empedrad first studied at Tuguegarao North Central School, and at Cagayan National High School. He also studied Civil Engineering at) in Baguio and applied in the Philippine Military Academy in 1982 and graduated in 1986. He also earned a Master in Business Administration, at the Philippine Christian University, Dasmariñas, Cavite, and took the US Naval Staff Course at US Naval War College, in Newport, Rhode Island, as well as took the Senior Executive Course for National University and Senior Strategic Leadership Programme at the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/cagayanPIO/posts/1033313796849974|title=Cagayan Provincial Information Office|website=Facebook.com}} He also took up various courses such as the International Riverine and Coastal Operations at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado at San Diego, California; the Instructor’s Training Course at Naval Special Warfare Center in Coronado, California; the Hermeneutics and Bible Study Course and the Christian Teachers Training Course, both in Las Piñas City.{{cite web |url=https://marina.gov.ph/administrators-page/ |access-date=5 July 2021|title=Administrator's Page}}

Throughout his career, Empedrad commanded various ships and naval task forces in the Philippine Navy, in leading ships like the {{BRP|Felix Apolinario|PC-395}}, BRP Abraham Campo, {{BRP|Magat Salamat|PS-20}}, {{BRP|Iloilo}}, {{BRP|Dagupan City|LS-551}}, and task forces in the Naval Forces Western Mindanao like the Naval Task Group 62.1, the Naval Task Group 62.2, and the Naval Task Group 72. He also commanded the Naval Task Force Sea Hawk, where he led operations against smugglers with the assistance of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of the Department of Agriculture. He also led humanitarian operations during Tropical Storm Washi and Typhoon Bopha.

He also commanded various positions in the Philippine Navy such as, Chief of Staff of Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (2006–2007), Director, Naval Operations Center (2007), Assistant Chief of Naval Staff for Intelligence, N2 (2007–2009), Deputy Commander of Naval Intelligence Security Force (2009), Assistant Chief of Naval Staff for Personnel, N1 (2009–2011), Deputy Commander of Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (2011–2013), Commander, Bonifacio Naval Station (2013–2015), the Commander, Offshore Combat Force, Philippine Fleet (Feb 2015 – Dec 2016), the Deputy, Commander Philippine Fleet (Dec 2016 –Feb 2017) and the Deputy Chief of Staff for Reservist and Retirees Affairs, J9 at General Headquarters and Headquarters Service Command (GHQ & HSC). As well as the Chairman of Defense Acquisition System Assessment Team (DASAT), in charge of the updates on Navy Ships and the Frigate Acquisition Project, which came to a controversy that replaced his predecessor Vice Admiral Ronald Joseph Mercado for alleged insubordination over the controversy regarding the Jose Rizal-class frigates.{{cite web|url=http://maxdefense.blogspot.com/2017/12/philippine-navy-chief-suddenly-relieved.html|title=Philippine Navy Chief Suddenly Relieved, Frigate Mess Cover Up Highly Likely Reason|date=19 December 2017|website=Maxdefense.blogspot.com}}{{cite web|url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/12/19/1770151/navy-chief-vice-admiral-ronald-joseph-mercado-sacked|title=Navy chief Vice Admiral Ronald Joseph Mercado sacked|website=Philstar.com}}

As Philippine Navy chief, he redesignated and downgraded the roles of the Navy's ships in order to prepare for the navy's modernization, as the navy awaits the delivery of the upcoming ships and retired 4 vintage ships: the BRP Rajah Humabon (PS-11), the BRP Sultan Kudarat (PS-22), BRP Cebu (PS-28), and the BRP Quezon (PS-70), along with two gunboats: the BRP Bienvenido Salting (PC-112), and the BRP Nicolas Mahusay (PC-119), which drew criticisms, due to the decreasing number of ships being used and being retired, despite having only a token of ships to fulfill the navy's mandate. During his term, the navy succeeded in acquiring the BRP Conrado Yap (PS-39), 6 units the Multipurpose Assault Craft MK. 3 equipped with Spike MLS ER Launchers and Mini-Typhoon Weapon Stations, 8 units of the KAAV7A1 Assault Amphibious Vehicles, 5 TC-90 patrol aircraft, and 43 new vehicles. He also oversaw the donation of 4 Type 966Y class patrol boats from China.{{cite news |title=JMSDF to give PH Navy more TC-90 planes |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1038427 |access-date=5 July 2021 |work=www.pna.gov.ph |language=en}}{{cite web |last1=Mangosing |first1=Frances |title=In swan song, retiring Navy chief lights flare vs criticisms |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1222962/in-swan-song-retiring-navy-chief-lights-flare-vs-criticisms |website=INQUIRER.net |access-date=5 July 2021 |language=en |date=2 February 2020}} He also led overall naval operations during the 2020 Taal Volcano Eruption.{{cite news |title=Philippine Navy donates P700k worth of relief goods to Taal victims |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/regions/723611/philippine-navy-donates-p700k-worth-of-relief-goods-to-taal-victims/story/ |access-date=6 July 2021 |work=GMA News Online |language=en}} He retired from military service on February 3, 2020, after reaching the mandatory military age of 56, and was replaced by then-Commander of the Philippine Fleet, Rear Admiral Giovanni Bacordo.{{cite web |title=Philippine Navy Change of Command and Retirement Ceremony in Honor of Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad {{!}} RTVM |url=https://rtvm.gov.ph/philippine-navy-change-of-command-and-retirement-ceremony-in-honor-of-vice-admiral-robert-empedrad/ |access-date=6 July 2021}} He was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte as the new administrator of the Maritime Industry Authority on March 2, 2020.{{cite news |last1=Factao |first1=Genivi |title=New Marina chief Empedrad vows a corrupt-free agency |url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/03/18/business/maritime-business/new-marina-chief-empedrad-vows-a-corrupt-free-agency/703994 |access-date=6 July 2021 |work=The Manila Times |date=18 March 2020 |language=en}}

In August 2024, Antonio Trillanes filed with the DOJ plunder under Republic Act No. 7080 and graft cases against Rodrigo Duterte, Bong Go, and Empedrad regarding the allegedly anomalous P16-billion contract of two frigates BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) and BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151) with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. He denied the accusation for it was signed two years after his retirement.{{cite news |last1= Serquiña|first1= Mariel Celine|title=Ex-Navy chief Empedrad denies plunder, graft allegations|url= https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/916439/ex-navy-chief-empedrad-denies-plunder-graft-allegations/story/|accessdate=August 9, 2024 |publisher=GMA Integrated News |date=August 8, 2024}}

Left Side:

File:191008-N-N0801-003 Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad (cropped).jpg

Right Side:

Badges and Other Awards:

• 55px Combat Commander's Badge (Philippines)
• 55px Naval War College Badge
• 65px Naval Surface Warfare Badge
• Gintong Medalya For Government Service Of The Dangal Ng Lahing Cagayano

He is married to Blessilda Empedrad, and they have a son, Jelome.

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Category:1964 births

Category:Living people

Category:Philippine Navy personnel

Category:People from Tuguegarao

Category:Philippine Military Academy alumni

Category:Saint Louis University (Philippines) alumni