Strict, possessing a strong moral compass, brilliant, indefatigable, and goal-oriented. These were some of the words used to describe Coast Guard Commodore Genito “Geny” Basilio, who was lauded for his noteworthy tenure as the 16th Commander of the Coast Guard District Bicol. Although his service only lasted less than a year in that district, he left a lasting impression among his troops, earning their respect, so much so that they call him “Ang Heneral Luna ng Tanod Baybayin.”
When Basilio assumed the post in October 2022, he vowed to “help establish a healthy environment where the rule of law will be strictly implemented, where maritime crimes, bribery and corruption will not succeed, where Bicolanos will feel safe leading their normal lives, and where the District can help in boosting the economy of the Bicol Region.”
In a book produced by the Coast Guard District Bicol, the commanding officer was described as an “innovator” and a “trailblazer.” He earned the monicker “Heneral Luna” because of his “steadfast commitment to the principles of patriotism and love for the organization, even at the expense of personal interests.”
According to an audio visual presentation prepared by his troops shown during the turnover rites in July, Basilio played a pivotal role in fulfilling coast guard missions in line with maritime safety, maritime security, marine environmental protection, maritime search and rescue, and maritime law enforcement.
During this term as commander in the district, Coast Guard District Bicol successfully apprehended 52 pieces of heat sealed transparent plastic sachets of methamphetamine, undocumented imported cigarettes worth P1.6 million, P1.1 million worth of smuggle clothes, and bancas conducting illegal fishing. He spearheaded the renovations and improvements of the district’s barracks and offices and the construction of the St. Therese Child Jesus Chapel and a three-story station building in Catanduanes, now being used as headquarters of coastguard station in the municipality.
In June, when the alert status of Mayon Volcano was elevated to Level 3, he and his team provided assistance in repacking relief goods for distribution to the affected families. Prioritizing the health and fitness of his troops, Basilio, also referred to as “Iron Man” by his peers, generously donated various gym equipment and even organized a marathon in the region.
Modern-day Heneral Luna
Like Heneral Antonio Luna, Basilio enforces a strict sense of discipline among his subordinates. “'Pag meron akong gustong ipatupad, ayaw kong nakakarinig ng alibi. Lagi kong sinasabi, kung gusto may paraan, kung ayaw may dahilan,” he tells ANCX.
Goal-oriented, this Ilocano serviceman implements projects always with a specific time frame. “I think it all started when I told my men to finish [building] the chapel in three days,” he laughingly recalls how he earned the nickname. “Ang kwento ng aide ko, may tropa na nagsabing parang napanuod na raw niya sa sine 'yung tatlong araw na palugit. Then sabi niya, Heneral Luna daw. From then on, bulung-bulungan na 'yan na 'pag nagtatawag ako ng staff, ang sinasabi nila ay ‘tinatawag ka ni Heneral Luna.’”
The commodore trains his men to become problem-solvers. “Pag nagsabi kayo ng problema, show me the possible solutions. You don’t just give me problems. Then tingnan natin kung ano pa ang inputs na maidadagdag ko. That’s how I teach my juniors,” he offers.
Basilio knows that the most effective way to teach is by setting a good example. “I walk the talk. Ayoko nung sinasabi kong huwag kayong maging corrupt, tapos nakikita nila nangungurakot ako. Huwag kayong mambabae tapos nakikita nilang nambababae ako. Huwag kayong uminom pero nakita nilang umiinom ako.”
Deeply patriotic, he believes corruption is a disservice to the country and therefore should not be tolerated. “'Pag law enforcer ka, that’s where the challenge is because that’s where the temptation comes in. Temptations of bribery, corruption, andiyan 'yung opportunity down to the grassroots. So ang lagi kong sinasabi sa mga tao ko, subukan niyong mangurakot, tigpas talaga ang leeg nyo,” he remembers telling them.
While he didn’t mean it literally, he made sure his men know that their actions have corresponding repercussions. “May instance nga na I found out about a [contemptuous activity], 'yung buong substation, ni-relieve ko talaga sa duty.”
Basilio tells us that while he maintains a high standard of discipline, he’s also a compassionate and empathetic boss. “Maluwag ako sa uwian. 'Pag nagpaalam sila about family, I do not even care kung nagsisinungaling sila e,” he says. He also maintains an open-door policy. “They can talk straight to me or say anything kung may problema.”
Convent boy and saxophonist
Basilio was born and raised in Solano, Nueva Vizcaya. He’s the fifth among seven kids, and the youngest boy in the brood. He grew up in a happy family until his mother was diagnosed with cancer and eventually succumbed to the disease.
At age 12, Basilio sought independence after his father remarried. He left home and worked as a houseboy and sacristan at Saint Louis Beltran Parish Church while pursuing his high school studies at Saint Louis School. “I woke up daily at 5:30 a.m., climbed the church tower to strike the church bells, and then prepare the altar for the 6 a.m. mass for the elder parishioners and then the 7 a.m. mass for the SLS students. I would then manage the rest of the day as a houseboy and as a schoolboy,” he recalls in a Facebook post.
Playing the saxophone with the ROTC band, alongside a scholarship, financed his college education, allowing him to graduate with a degree in Commerce, majoring in Accountancy from Saint Mary’s College in 1991.
Also during his college years, he successfully completed the Advanced Reserved Officer Training Course and attained the rank of Reserve Army Master Sergeant in the 2nd Regional Community Defense Unit. This inspired him to eventually embark on his journey to the Philippine Military Academy in 1992. Thereafter, he accomplished his Bachelor of Science degree in Naval Systems Engineering, becoming a part of PMA Class 1996 “Mabikas.”
He wanted to be part of the Philippine Army, but fate had other plans. He fell in love with a pretty lady named Evangeline and bore a child with her. “Sabi [ni Vangie] sa akin, bahala ka, 'pag ikaw namatay sa giyera, papalitan kita agad. So I changed my mind. Nag-signify ako sa Navy,” he recalls with a smile.
Basilio was one of the top five in his class who were assigned to the Philippine Coast Guard, where he began his career. He has since served the PCG in numerous capacities, including stints as the Commander of Coast Guard districts in Northwestern Luzon, Palawan, Southern Tagalog, and Bicol. “I made history being the very first Coast Guard Commodore the landlocked province of Nueva Vizcaya has ever produced,” he said in a speech.
He currently serves as the Director of Coast Guard Strategic Studies and International Affairs Center, which plays a significant role in shaping the PCG's advancement through the nation's maritime security and policy decisions.
"Having earned the moniker Heneral Luna, which I feel both humbled and honored, I will continue to uphold the values that I believe will make a profound impact in charting the strategic direction of the PCG," he says. "I will always live by my unwavering patriotic principles and blaze a trail of leadership that will hopefully leave a lasting legacy and inspiration to others."