Commodore Jay Tarriela, spokesperson of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) for the West Philippine Sea (WPS), has been promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral, along with two other officials.

The promotion was confirmed in a communication signed by Acting Executive Secretary Ralph Recto. Department of Transportation (DOTr) Acting Secretary Giovanni Z. Lopez received a copy of the appointment letter signed by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

The letter named Tarriela, Weniel Abarquez Azcuna, and Oliver Sy Tanseco as the newly appointed Rear Admirals. Lopez has been instructed to deliver copies of the appointment letters to the officials within seven days of receipt.

Tarriela recently became the center of a diplomatic dispute with China over the WPS. In January 2026, China filed protests after Tarriela made social media posts critical of Chinese leaders.

The PCG official defended his remarks as “factual accounts,” while the Chinese Embassy accused him of conducting a “smear campaign” and summoned the Philippine ambassador to Beijing.