Jose Maria Ambrosio Quiatchon Ezpeleta is a Philippine Navy vice admiral who served as the 41st Flag Officer-in-Command (FOIC) of the Philippine Navy since 15 November 2024. Prior to his appointment to the post, Ezpeleta served as the FOIC, Ezpeleta served as the Vice Commander of the Philippine Navy, the Chief of Naval Staff, and as commander of the Naval Forces Southern Luzon.^[1][2][3]

Ezpeleta entered the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in March 1987 and graduated as part of the PMA "Sambisig" Class of 1991, and afterwards entered the Philippine Navy as a newly minted Ensign. Aside from completing his studies at the PMA, Ezpeleta also completed various courses in the country, which includes the AFP Command & General Staff Course at the Armed Forces of the Philippines Command and General Staff College. Ezpeleta would later serve under various ships during his junior years, and would later command a variety of navy ships. Through these feats, Ezpeleta was later awarded the Command-at-Sea Badge for his competence, skills and experience in maritime operations and strategic planning. Ezpeleta would later serve under various commands in Southern Luzon and Davao Regions, and would later took helm of various commands in the Navy, primarily in naval squadron units, education, training and doctrine positions, and personnel positions, such as the Superintendent of the Naval School Center and as Assistant Chief of Naval Staff for Personnel (N1).^[4]

On 16 December 2016, Ezpeleta would later serve as the Deputy Commander of Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao, and served this position until 21 December 2018, where he was later placed as the Deputy Commander of the Naval Education, Training and Doctrine Command, where he served the post until 1 July 2019. Ezpeleta was promoted to the rank of commodore on 2019, where he served as the commander of Naval Forces Southern Luzon from 6 September 2019 to 9 August 2022. During his stint as commander, he was part of the units who were responsible for the implementation of lockdowns during COVID-19 community quarantines in Southern Luzon, and led humanitarian assistance operations during the aftermath of Typhoon Goni.^[5]

Ezpeleta was later named as the Chief of Naval Staff on 9 August 2022 to 14 August 2024 and was promoted to the rank of rear admiral. During his stint as Chief of Naval Staff, Ezpeleta represented the Philippine Navy in a variety of meetings and engagements with high-ranking officials from overseas countries, such as attending the formal dinner with then-United States Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo on Honolulu, Hawaii on 9 September 2023, which is aimed to strengthen the navy's ties with US and other foreign counterparts,^[6] and meeting with the then-Acting Commander of the US I Marine Expeditionary Force Major General Bradford Gering on 8 November 2023, which is aimed to sustain collaboration efforts between the Philippine Navy and the United States Marine Corps for future bilateral joint exercises and training initiatives.^[7]

Ezpeleta would later serve as the 57th Vice Commander of the Philippine Navy on 14 August 2024 to 15 November 2024.^[8] During his stint as Vice Commander, Ezpeleta welcome the newly installed French Attaché Capt. Stephan Litzler as part of his introductory call to the country,^[9] and also participated the meetings for the Exercise Sama Sama with officials from the US, Australia, Canada, France, Japan and the United Kingdom.^[10][11]

On 15 November 2024, Ezpeleta was appointed as the 41st Flag Officer-in-Command of the Philippine Navy.^[8] During his assumption speech, Ezpeleta vowed to continue the navy's modernization programs, defend the country's waters, and enhance the navy's external operations under the adoption of the AFP's Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept with the Navy's Active Archipelagic Defense Strategy. Ezpeleta also vowed to enforce the navy's role under the ratification of both the Maritime Zones Act and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act.^[12][13]

On 9 January 2025, Ezpeleta became the first Flag Officer-in-Command to undergo the Special Call to Arms of the Philippine Marine Corps and later earned his Marine Corps Badge.^[14] Ezpeleta later earned his third star and was promoted to vice admiral on 16 January 2025.^[15] On 19 March 2025, the navy laid out its plans to boost the navy's surface and air defense warfare capabilities and eyes technology transfers agreements with the Italian Navy, which is aimed to boost the country's Self Reliance Defense Posture initiatives.^[16][17] On 20 March 2025, Ezpeleta met with the Chief of Staff of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Admiral Akira Saitō, and announced its commitment to boost the relationship between the two navies in addressing future potential threats.^[18]

• Outstanding Achievement Medal
• Distinguished Service Star with three silver anahaw leaves
• Distinguished Navy Cross
• Meritorious Achievement Medal
• Distinguished Service Medal
• Chief of Staff, AFP Commendation Medal
• Gawad sa Kaunlaran
• Bronze Cross Medal
• Silver Wing Medal
• Military Merit Medal with two silver spearhead device
• Military Merit Medal with one gold anahaw
• Sagisag ng Ulirang Kawal with one bronze anahaw
• Military Civic Action Medal with two bronze anahaws
• Parangal sa Kapanalig ng Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas with two bronze anahaws
• Military Commendation Medal with three silver triangle clasps

• AFP Long Service Medal
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  Anti-dissidence Campaign Medal with three campaign stars
• Luzon Anti-dissidence Campaign Medal
• 

  
  Visayas Anti-Dissidence Campaign Medal with one campaign star
• 

  
  Mindanao Anti-dissidence Campaign Medal with one campaign star
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  Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation Operations Ribbon with three service stars

• Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation
• People Power II Unit Citation

• - Philippine Navy Surface Warfare Badge
• AFP Command & General Staff Course Badge
• Honorary Command Naval Aviator’s Badge^[19]
• Philippine Navy Honorary SEAL Team Badge ^[20]
• Marine Corps Badge.^[14]
• Naval Command at Sea Badge

Ezpeleta is known by his close friends and relatives as "Toto". Ezpeleta is married to Marie Venus "Pinky" Expeleta and they have two sons. He is a known hobbyist and his interests include music and fishing. Ezpeleta is also known to be a motorbike enthusiast and often does motorcycle trips during his free time.^[21]