Sacked Navy Chief refutes Bong Go’s involvement in warship deal

Mercado clarified that Go has never been involved in the acquisition of multi-billion-peso navy frigates. (Photo: PHILIPPINE NAVY/FACEBOOK)

Sacked Philippine Navy’s Flag-Officer-In-Command (FOIC) Vice Admiral Ronald Joseph Mercado, who was unceremoniously relieved from his rank, broke his silence on Tuesday, clearing Special Assistant to President Christopher “Bong” Go from his involvement in the controversial purchase of two new warships for the Philippine Navy.

Mercado clarified that Go has never been involved in the acquisition of multi-billion-peso navy frigates, describing Go has been “very kind” to him.

“Apparently because of that, there were insinuations about Secretary Bong Go, and you know I just like to come out because when I was FOIC (Flag-Officer-in-Command), he never once, with so many times we were together in many foreign Navy ships and there was never an instance, not once that he even asked me about the frigate, never,” Mercado told reporters.

In 2016, the Philippine government has signed a contract with South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) for the building of two frigates to be delivered to the Philippine Navy in 2020 and 2021.

Go has been accused of intervening in the selection of the Combat Management System (CMS) supplier for two Navy warships in which President Rodrigo Duterte belied saying that any papers being received by his office were being passed on to the proper department.

“If the subject matter here is about transportation, it goes to Tugade,” Duterte earlier said.

However, in a recent statement by Department of National Defense (DND), it explained that Go, who is also the head of the Presidential Management Staff, is in-charged of directly endorsing documents to the concerned government agencies.

The former Navy chief also admitted that he was still hurting over his relief.

“You know I’m a military officer. I obey orders. I know, the Secretary of National Defense (Delfin Lorenzana) … he has some justification for doing it, so I respect it, ganun talaga [that’s how it goes],” he added.

Mercado was sacked from his post last year, as ordered by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, for reportedly delaying the frigate acquisition.