Philippine navy chief Ronald Joseph Mercado sacked for ‘insubordination’ over new frigates
Mercado allegedly delayed the project to force the government and main contractor to award employ another company to install the warships’ combat management systems
The commander of the Philippine Navy was sacked for “insubordination” after he jeopardised a 15.5 billion peso (US$308 million) project for two new warships, the defence minister said on Wednesday.
Vice Admiral Ronald Joseph Mercado was abruptly removed from office on Tuesday with military officials saying only the surprise move followed “instructions from higher authorities”.
Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana told reporters on Wednesday he obtained permission from President Rodrigo Duterte to remove Mercado owing to the frigate project, which has been awarded to a South Korean shipbuilder.
“I had to do it because he [Mercado] was jeopardising the project,” said Lorenzana, who swore in a temporary navy flag commander in Mercado’s place on Tuesday.
The government signed a contract last year with Hyundai Heavy Industries to build two frigates to be delivered to the Philippine navy in 2020 and 2021.
Lorenzana said the project was already several months behind schedule because the navy had failed to complete on time a “critical design review” on the vessels before the contractor could start work.