President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has named former Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretary Alexander Lopez as the spokesman of the National Maritime Council (NMC).

Lopez, a former military officer, will speak on behalf of the NMC on issues surrounding the West Philippine Sea (WPS). The NMC was created by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. under Executive Order (EO) No. 57 with the aim of strengthening the Philippines’ maritime security and increasing maritime domain awareness among Filipinos amid China’s aggressive tactics and threats in the WPS.

The appointment of Lopez, a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) batch 1982, was announced on Aug. 6.

Before his appointment, Lopez served as DOE Undersecretary from 2018 to 2022; consultant for the same agency from 2017 to 2018; and security consultant for ABS-CBN Corp. from 2016 to 2018.

He served as Commander of the Western Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) from 2014 to 2016 and Deputy Chief of Staff for Education and Training (J8) of the AFP.

Lopez also served as Commander of the Fleet-Marine Ready Force and Joint Task Force Malampaya; Chief of Naval Staff for Operations, N3; and Philippine Defense and AFP Attaché in Singapore.

He is also a former Deputy Chief of Naval Staff for Intelligence, N2; Chief of the Foreign Training Division, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Education and Training; and Chief of the Manpower and Organization Division, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations.

He also served as Chief of Fleet Staff for Operations, F3; Commanding Officer (Philippine Navy Commissioned Vessels); Executive Officer (Philippine Navy Vessels); and Commander, Naval Intelligence and Security Units. PND