MANILA, Philippines– Vice Admiral Rene Villena Medina AFP (Ret) has been appointed and sworn into duty as the new Executive Director of the STCW Office of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) in a simple ceremony held today, 30 March 2021.

Prior to the appointment of VADM Medina, Engr. Nannette V Dinopol was designated as Officer-in-Charge, STCWO in a concurrent capacity as Deputy Administrator for Operations.

MARINA Administrator Robert A Empedrad expressed his gratitude to Engr. Dinopol, who also received a Certificate of Appreciation for a job well done as the Officer-in-Charge of the STCWO, by sharing a bible verse from Proverbs 3:27, which states “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due (its rightful recipients), when it is in your power to do it.”

VADM Medina, on the other hand, takes on the duties and responsibilities of the previous Executive Director VADM Narciso A Vingson, Jr, AFP (Ret), who is now serving as the Assistant Secretary for Maritime under the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

MARINA Administrator Robert A Empedrad welcomes this new development, stating that VADM Medina’s appointment is a promising step forward in the right direction for the Agency, which is at the helm of ensuring the Philippines’ full compliance to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) Convention, 1978, as amended.

For VADM Medina’s impeccable credentials, Administrator Empedrad highlighted a bible verse from Exodus 18:21 about delegating capable leaders, which states “Furthermore, you shall select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; and you shall place these over them, as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens.”

Having a superior work ethic, VADM Medina was given numerous significant positions in the AFP and PCG.
Prior to his appointment at the MARINA, VADM Medina served for two years as the Commander of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao, the largest naval operating command in the country.

During his tenure, Western Mindanao experienced a time when there were zero kidnapping incidents at sea. For two consecutive years, VADM Medina was the recipient of the prestigious award for Naval Operating Forces of the Year. He was also the 32nd Commander of Western Command– a unified command, described by many as the most strategic and complex area command in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

In the earlier years of his career, Vice Admiral Medina also served the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in different capacities. Being known for his versatility and diligence in work, he was chosen to serve as the Flag Lieutenant and Flag Secretary to the PCG Commandant Commo Carlos L Agustin AFP (Ret). He was also the Port State Control Officer, South Harbor Manila. Additionally, VADM Medina also served as the Commander of Sealift Amphibious Force and Commander of Naval Education and Training Command, respectively.

On top of his many awards and recognitions, VADM Medina also received the esteemed Order of the Lapu-Lapu, personally awarded to him by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. The Order of the Lapu-Lapu is a national order of merit usually granted to those who have exhibited an extraordinary standard of service in their respective positions.
VADM Medina was born on 30 May 1964 in Sirawai, Zamboanga Del Norte, Mindanao. He finished his secondary education at Ozamiz City National High School and entered the Philippine Military Academy in 1982, graduating as a member of the illustrious “Sinagtala” Class of 1986. He also graduated as a pioneer of Coast Guard Station Commander Course and Boarding Officer Course, both taken from Coast Guard Training Center in the year 1994. He had also completed his shipboard tour to include being in command of four Philippine Navy vessels, the BRP Leopoldo Regis(PG847), BRP Apollo Tiano (PG851), BRP Salvador Abcede(PG114), and BRP Artemio Ricarte(PS37).