Robert Empedrad

Vice Admiral Robert Arugay Empedrad is a Filipino Admiral and the current Flag Officer-in-Command of the Philippine Navy. He is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy "Sinagtala" Class of 1986

Education and career
Robert Empedrad first studied at Tuguegarao North Central School, and at Cagayan National High School. He also studied Civil Engineering at the Saint Louis University (Philippines) at Baguio City 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.

He 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 NTG 62.1, NTG 62.2, the Naval Task Force Sea Hawk, Naval Task Group 72.

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 currently the Deputy Chief of Staff for Reservist and Retirees Affairs, J9 at General Headquarters and Headquarters Service Command. 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.

Awards

 * Philippines Presidential Unit Citation.png Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation
 * PHL People Power I Unit Citation.png People Power I Unit Citation
 * PHL People Power II Unit Citation.png People Power II Unit Citation
 * PHL Distinguished Service Star BAR.png 7 Distinguished Service Stars
 * PHL Gawad Sa Kaunlaran.gif 2 Gawad sa Kaunlaran
 * 2 Distinguish Navy Cross
 * Distinguished Service Medal
 * PHL Bronze Cross.gif 2 Bronze Cross Medals
 * PHL Military Merit Medal.gif 29 Military Merit Medal (Philippines), two with Spearhead Device
 * PHL Military Commendation.gif 5 Military Commendation Medals
 * PHL Outstanding Achievement Medal.PNG Outstanding Achievement Medal
 * PHL Military Civic Action Medal.gif Military Civic Action Medal
 * Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation Operations Ribbon.gif Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation Operations Ribbon
 * AFP Long Service Medal.gif Long Service Medal
 * Anti-dissidence Campaign Medal.png Anti-dissidence Campaign Medal
 * Luzon Anti-dissidence Campaign Medal.png Luzon Anti-Dissidence Campaign Medal
 * PHL Visayas Anti-Dissidence Campaign Medal ribbon.png Visayas Anti-Dissidence Campaign Medal
 * Mindanao Anti-dissidence Campaign Medal.png Mindanao Anti-Dissidence Campaign Medal
 * Combat Commander's (Kagitingan) Badge.png Combat Commander's Badge (Philippines)
 * Gintong Medalya For Government Service Of The Dangal Ng Lahing Cagayano

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