First PCG female 2-star general takes oath

By Geoffrey Latayan

The first female two-star general of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) took her oath on Monday, days after she was promoted to Rear Admiral of the agency.

Rear Admiral Mitzie Silva-Campo took her oath before Department of Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, further making history in the institution that takes charge of maritime security in the archipelagic Southeast Asian nation.

Silva-Campo was appointed first-ever female general in October 2021 and more than three years later, she has added another rank to her coat of arms.

In a statement, the newly-installed two-star general believes leadership is a privilege and a responsibility. She pointed out that it’s earned through trust, built on hard work and proven in service.

“Because at the end of the day, it’s never about the rank. It is about how well you lead, how much you serve, and how deeply you care,” Silva-Campo, who initially served as a commissioned officer in the Armed Forces of the Philippines before shifting careers to PCG, said.

Fellow PCG, government officials hail Silva-Campo

Officials from the PCG and the Philippine government hailed the development, with Department of Budget and Management Secretary Amenah Pangandaman congratulating Silva Campo on her achievement.

“As an officer of the PCG Auxiliary, and a woman leader in government, I can proudly say that your appointment is truly a remarkable milestone and an uplifting achievement that inspires us all,” Pangandaman, who is also a PCG Auxiliary Rear Admiral, said in a statement.

“This also reflects the courageous and patriotic service of all women in uniform who embody women’s indispensable role in today’s society,” she added.

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PCG Commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, also praised Silva-Campo, saying that this development stresses the agency’s strong advocacy on women empowerment by providing equal opportunities to both men and women in service.

“She stands as proof that a woman can rise to lead with excellence, break barriers, and help move a nation forward,” said Gavan.

A distinct background

Before her appointment as Rear Admiral, Silva-Campo became first female Inspector-General of the Coast Guard Inspector General-Internal Affairs Service, Coast Guard Adjutant, Commander of Coast Guard Doctrine, Development and Research Command.

She earned her Master of Science in Maritime Affairs, specializing in Maritime Law and Policy from the World Maritime University in Malmo, Sweden in 2009.

The two-star general is a fellow of the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Honolulu, Hawaii and was trained in Yokohama, Japan, and in Australia.

She completed a Juris Doctor degree at the Cor Jesu College in Digos City, Davao del Sur.

Silva-Campo also held office as Chief of Staff to the Undersecretary for Operations and was designated to the Singapore-based Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia-Information Sharing Centre, where she served for over three years.

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