Magdalo rep seeks probe on ‘highly unusual’ Navy-chief firing

Magdalo Party-list Rep. Gary Alejano said on Tuesday that he would call for a hearing on the "highly unusual" dismissal of Vice Admiral Ronald Joseph Mercado from his post as the Philippine Navy's Flag Officer-In-Command (FOIC).

The lawmaker speculated that Mercado's dismissal could be related to the an alleged irregularity in the procurement of Navy frigates.

"Accordingly, Mercado stood his ground that proceeding with the procurement of the frigates under the present contract would be disadvantageous both to the Navy - which is the end user - and to the Filipino taxpayers," Alejano added.

The representative also claimed that that Mercado was attempting to delay the purchase.

Alejano would "immediately"direct his resolution seeking an investigation to the House Committee on National Defense and Security, once Congress resumes sessions.

"This is an important issue considering that this involves around P18 billion of the AFP's modernization fund," Alejano said.

‘Very ungracious’

But even if the dismissal had nothing to do with the purchase of frigates, Alejano said Mercado's dismissal was unusual as he was due to retire on March 18, 2018. He should have left his command in an official ceremony at the Navy headquarters in Pasay.

Alejano added that Mercado's dismissal was "very ungracious" given the proximity to the holidays and to AFP Day.

Furthermore, there was no announcement of Mercado's relief, which "was done almost in secret and very unceremonious", when it should have been a significant event.

"The Magdalo Party-list is currently gathering information regarding the matter when the relief of Mercado happened. The Magdalo will seek the truth behind the procurement and will make sure that anomalies, if there is any, are uncovered," he said.

Mercado was replaced, without an explanation, by Rear Admiral Roberto Empedrad upon the order of higher authorities.  — Rie Takumi/DVM, GMA News