More than a score ago, when he took the helm of the Philippine Navy as its 23rd Flag Officer in Command (FOIC), VADM Eduardo Mario Ramirez Santos had set his eyes on the future. The 21st Century was then beginning, the dawn of a new era and a myriad of challenges to the Philippine Navy.

From the disputed Islands in the South China Sea, Maritime Disasters and Piracy were confronting challenges of that period in which the Philippine Navy would play a pivotal role. As he took the conn of the service, he gladly accepted the difficult task that lay ahead and plotted the course towards the future armed with a passion for technology. Along with the training of personnel, establishment of Fields of Specialization, development of Naval Operating Bases, and the acquisition of modern naval vessels, he put emphasis on technology.

Born in Manila on 16-October-1943, VADM Santos spent his early childhood in Marikina and San Jose, Antique. His family later moved to Manila wHere he attended the Ateneo De Manila High School. He entered the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in 1962, and graduated with the Class of 1966. After completing his Naval Officer’s Qualification Course (NOQC), his initial billets were aboard various PN ships beginning with RPS Tarlac (PG11), a Patrol Gunboat Minesweeper. He served afloat from 16-September-1966 to November 1971. He had a distinguished career in the Naval Intelligence and Security Force (NISF) which he would later take command of in 1993.

From 16-September-1980 to 01-March-1986, he was detailed as Port Manager of the Port of Manila, which covered the North and South Harbors, the International Container Terminal, Pasig River and Bataan Ports. Then he returned to the Philippine Fleet and skippered various ships including the Corvette BRP Rizal (PS-74) and the Frigate BRP Rajah Humabon (PF11). He commanded ashore the 5th Coast Guard District in Southern Luzon, and served as the Chief of Staff of Philippine Fleet. His PN Headquarters appointments included Assistant Chief of Naval Staff for Intelligence (N-2) and Chief of Naval Staff (CNS). Prior to his appointed as FOIC PN, he was at the Naval Forces Central Philippines at HQ Cebu City.

On 12-January-1999, he was concurrently designated as Vice Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines (VCSAFP). It was during his tenure that the Philippine Navy Modernization Program began coinciding with the country’s drive toward Peace and Progress as Southeast Asia’s new economic tiger.

His brand of leadership revolved on four pillars:

• Accomplishment of the Mission showed early on when as Skipper of a Patrol Ship, his vessel was diverted to assist in search and retrieval operations of MV Dona Paz which had met a tragic incident in December 1987.
• The Welfare of his Men and Women and their Families as exemplified by various housing projects during his term as FOIC PN, such as off-base housing projects in Cavite and 9-door Enlisted Personnel Apartments in Naval Base Cavite.
• His proficient Managerial Capabilities honed the various units of the Philippine Navy into an effective multi-role force as a flexible and versatile organization.
• Lastly, Modernization during his tenure marked a significant boost in the acquisition of new vessels notably the three former Royal Navy Peacock Class Patrol Vessels now known locally as the Emilio Jacinto Class Patrol Corvettes. The Patrol Gunboat BRP Antonio Luna (PG-141) built at the Naval Shipyard was commissioned on 26-May-1999. Five 78-footer Jose Andrada Class Patrol Gunboats were commissioned during his term as FOIC PN. Additionally, the first in-country production of the US-made PCF was initiated.

He earned a M.S. Computer Systems Management at USN Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, USA; attended the Naval Command Course at US Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island in 1993; and the General Staff Course (GSC) at AFP Command and General Staff College, Fort Bonifacio.

After serving his country for 33 years, VADM Santos retired on 16-October-1999. Yet his love for the sea never ceased. He became the First President of the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP), a position he still holds to this day. The Academy, which is patterned after the United States Merchant Marine Academy in King’s Point, New York is located in a 122-hectare campus in Bataan. MAAP is a world class learning institution developing fulltime scholars in becoming the best Merchant Marine Officers for the International Fleet. He is also Executive Vice President of Associated Marine Officers and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP), Asia’s largest Seamen’s Union.

Currently, he is President of the UK-based Nautical Institute (NI) Philippine Chapter, President of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMAREST) Philippine Chapter, President of the Bagong Bayani Foundation for OFWs, Chairman of the Philippine Navy Board of Advisers, and President of the Citizens’ Support Your Navy Foundation (CSYNF). He is the newly designated President of The Maritime League (ML).

As the new Maritime League President, he aims to heighten maritime awareness among the Filipinos considering the country’s configuration and geographical location. He made courtesy calls on the leaders of numerous government agencies to build relationships essential in supporting his vision. He requested for regular article contributions affecting their organization to the League’s Maritime Review magazine. In view of the new normal, he will convene the ML meetings and Maritime Forums via webinars.

In the international scene, he is Vice Chairman of Global Maritime Education and Training (GlobalMET), Chair of Finance Committee of the International Association of Maritime Universities (IAMU), and a Member of the ITF’s Ships’ Automation Working Group. His public service earned him 2 Legion of Honor Awards, 5 Distinguished Service Stars, an Outstanding Achievement Medal, 2 Distinguished Navy Crosses, and 14 Military Merit Medals. He earned 3 PMA Cavalier Awards. In 2019, he was accorded the LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD at Crew Connect, the Philippines’ largest ship manning event, for lifelong contributions to the country’s maritime and shipping Industry. He is a licensed Fixed-Wing Pilot and certified Scuba Diver, with a passion for golf and practical shooting.

VADM Santos or Edd as he is fondly called by his friends is married to Lilia Amurao Santos and blessed with two daughters, Christine Therese and Analiese Joy.

Sources

• Giagionia, Professor Regino “Dodds”. The Philippine Navy 1898-1998 (Centennial Edition). Headquarters Philippine Navy.
• Santos, VADM Eduardo Ma R, FOIC, PN. (June 1999). At the Helm: Charting The Future Direction of the Philippine Navy at the Turn of the Century.
• Danga, CAPT Tirso R, PN (GSC) et al. (Eds). (April 1998).Tides of Change: The Philippine Navy Looks Back a Hundred Years and Peers into the Next Century.
• Headquarters Philippine Navy.
• Profile of VADM Eduardo Ma R. Santos AFP (Ret). MAAP, Bataan.
• https://www.manilatimes.net/2019/11/20/business/maritime-business/maap-president-to-receive-lifetime-achievement-award-at-crew-connect/657260/

Author: Cdr. Mark R Condeno PCG (Res)