New Navy chief named

MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Rear Admiral Robert Empedrad as the new flag officer in command of the Philippine Navy.

Malacañang on Thursday, January 18, released Duterte’s January 16 letter to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, endorsing Empedrad as Philippine Navy chief effective December 17, 2017.

Empedrad’s appointment came amid controversy involving the Philippine Navy’s P15.7billion Combat Management System procurement plan for its two missile frigates.

In December 2017, former Philippine Navy flag officer in command Vice Admiral Ronald Joseph Mercado was sacked because of “insubordination.” Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana had said Mercado was relieved from his post for purportedly “jeopardizing” the frigate acquisition project.

Both Mercado and Empedrad worked with the technical working group handling the procurement deal since the Aquino administration.

Empedrad, a former Armed Forces of the Philippines' deputy chief of staff for Retirees and Reservists Affairs, is set to retire in March 2018.

The release of Empedrad's appointment came two days after Duterte's special assistant, Christopher "Bong" Go, was dragged into the controversial frigate acquisition project. Ruth Abbey Gita/SunStar Philippines