No restlessness in the Navy: AFP chief

From Malaya Business Insight (Jan 10): No restlessness in the Navy: AFP chief

ARMED Forces chief Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero yesterday sought to dismiss reports of restiveness in the Navy due to last month’s unceremonious relief of Vice Adm. Ronaldo Joseph Mercado as Navy chief.

Interviewed after a joint DND-AFP New Year’s call in Camp Aguinaldo, Guerrero said Navy officials are not reporting any problem in the 30,000-strong Navy.

“Restlessness? I do not see any restlessness in the Navy,” said Guerrero. It was Guerrero who implemented Mercado’s relief on December 19.

The Navy is now headed in an acting capacity by Rear Adm. Robert Empedrad, AFP deputy chief of staff for reservists and retirees affairs.

Military officials earlier said there are “rumblings” in the Navy over Mercado’s unceremonious relief. One of them said Mercado did not deserve such treatment from the leadership of the defense department and the military because he was merely after installing the best equipment for two frigates being built by Hyundai Heavy Industries of Korea for the Philippine Navy.

It was Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana who recommended to President Duterte Mercado’s relief for his insisting the installation of a combat management system produced by a French company.

On Monday, Lorenzana said he has met with former Navy chiefs who have expressed their disappointment over Mercado’s relief. He said he requested the meeting to explain why Mercado was sacked. Lorenzana said the former Navy chiefs claimed he violated the “long-honored tradition of retirement, parade, and everything” of a Navy chief.

Lorenzana said there was no “formal turnover” ceremony “because the situation was fluid” at that time. He said the former Navy chiefs “understood” his explanation.

Guerrero said there is no problem with those in active service.
“As far as I am concerned, I’ve been in contact with our Navy officers, in the active service, and we don’t have any problem,” Guerrero said.

Mercado is on “special studies” at Guerrero’s office. Guerrero said Mercado is regularly reporting to his office.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/no-restlessness-navy-afp-chief