A Reflection on MGen. Edgard A. Arevalo’s

“Carry On, Young Blood”

DISCLAIMER: This article reflects solely the personal views, reflections, and opinions of the author. It does not represent, express, or constitute the official position of the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Center Inc. (PASLCI), the Philippine Coast Guard, or any other government, private, or professional organization with which the author is or has been associated. The views expressed herein are offered in the interest of constructive reflection on leadership, institutional continuity, public service, and the author’s personal experience.

The article “Carry On, Young Blood,” authored by MGen. Edgard A. Arevalo, AFP (Ret.), was an enlightenment to me and a timely reminder that, indeed, I made the right decision.

Reading his reflections brought me back to a significant moment during my final years in active service with the Philippine Coast Guard.

A few days after the official publication of Republic Act No. 12122, which amended provisions of Republic Act No. 9993, or the Philippine Coast Guard Law of 2009, and provided for a fixed maximum term for the Commandant, Philippine Coast Guard, a Special Command Conference was called and attended by the Major Unit Commanders.

During the conference, the officers present were individually asked for their opinions on the passage of the new law. As the most senior officer present at the time and the Commander of the Maritime Safety Services Command, I was among the first to be called upon.

I expressed my view that the law was, in many ways, a recognition of the increasingly critical role of the Philippine Coast Guard. The organization had assumed greater responsibilities in maritime safety, maritime security, marine environmental protection, law enforcement, and in addressing the challenges confronting our country in the West Philippine Sea.

I also believed that providing a defined tenure for the Commandant could contribute to greater institutional stability. A clear term of office could provide sufficient time for a sitting Commandant to implement programs, pursue reforms, and ensure continuity in organizational development.

In many respects, I saw this policy direction as similar in purpose to Republic Act No. 11939, which introduced reforms concerning the tenure and retirement system of senior officers in the Armed Forces of the Philippines and sought to promote continuity in policies, programs, and modernization initiatives.

At that time, however, I also expressed the view that there was a need to seek legal clarity from the appropriate higher authorities regarding the interpretation and application of the new law. The question was not merely whether a fixed term was beneficial. It was also how the law should be interpreted and implemented within the broader context of the rule of law, institutional stability, and the constitutional authority of the President of the Republic as the appointing authority.

As the Philippine Coast Guard approaches another important period in its leadership cycle, the institution will once again face the enduring challenge of ensuring a smooth transition, continuity of programs, and sustained institutional stability.

Such transitions should not be feared.

They should instead be seen as a test of institutional maturity.

A strong organization must never depend entirely on one person, regardless of how capable or exceptional that leader may be. Leaders will come and go. Commands will change. Generations will move forward.

What must remain is the institution.

This is where the message of MGen. Arevalo’s “Carry On, Young Blood” becomes particularly meaningful.

There comes a time when those who have served must recognize that leadership is also about knowing when to let go. Passing the torch to the next generation is not a sign of weakness or abandonment of duty. Rather, it is an expression of confidence in the institution and in those who have been prepared to continue its mission.

One leader completes his tour of duty and hands over command and authority to another who is equally competent, qualified, and prepared to assume responsibility.

That is how institutions endure.

After all, leaders will come and go, but what remains is their legacy.

A leader’s legacy will not be measured solely by rank, position, popularity, or length of service. It will be measured by the reforms introduced, the people developed, the systems strengthened, and the institution left behind.

A year after my own retirement, and after reflecting on MGen. Arevalo’s article, I can now say with greater conviction that I made the right decision.

I chose to move forward, not because my love for the Philippine Coast Guard had diminished, but because my respect for the institution was greater than any personal ambition.

There is a time to lead. There is a time to serve. And there is also a time to allow others to lead.

The institution continues. The mission continues. And the next generation is ready.

But as I have come to realize, there is no retirement in public service.

While my chapter in active uniformed service has ended, my commitment to serve our country continues. I found a new home as Chairman and President of the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Center Inc. (PASLCI), whose primary objective is to support the national government in advancing the establishment, international consultation, recognition, and eventual adoption of the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes pursuant to Republic Act No. 12065.

It is a different and, in many ways, more challenging undertaking. It requires working across the fields of maritime governance, international law, national policy, technical expertise, and multi-sectoral cooperation. Yet it is also deeply fulfilling because it provides another opportunity to contribute to the advancement of our country’s maritime future.

Perhaps retirement did not end my service. It simply gave that service a new direction.

The challenges may be different, and the responsibilities may have changed, but the purpose remains the same: to serve the best interests of our country.

Perhaps that is the most important lesson for those of us who were privileged to wear the uniform and hold positions of command:

We are not the institution. We are merely its temporary custodians.

For a time, we lead.

Then, when our time comes, we pass the responsibility to those who follow.

And we simply say:

Carry on, Young Blood.

Time has a way of revealing whether the difficult decisions we made were the right ones.

For me, one year after retirement, time has told me that I made the right decision.

— VADM JOSEPH M. COYME, PCG (Ret.)

References

1. MGen. Edgard A. Arevalo, “Carry On, Young Blood,” The Manila Times, 30 August 2026.
2. Republic Act No. 12122, amending provisions of Republic Act No. 9993 concerning the term of office of the Commandant, Philippine Coast Guard.
3. Republic Act No. 9993, Philippine Coast Guard Law of 2009.
4. Republic Act No. 11939, reforming the tenure and retirement system of senior officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
5. Republic Act No. 12065, Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act.