MANILA, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- Philippine Department of National Defense confirmed Wednesday that Navy chief Vice Admiral Ronald Mercado was relieved for committing acts tantamount to insubordination on how to implement a multi-billion-peso project to acquire two modern warships.
Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said in a press briefing that Mercado "disregarded" at least two directives his office issued countering the navy chief's recommendations for the project.
Mercado was sacked on Tuesday, which surprised many, even those in the Armed Forces of the Philippines. A change of command ceremony was hastily held on the same day while Rear Admiral Robert Empedrad took his place.
"As the secretary of defense, I have lost trust and confidence in his integrity and leadership. I question his intention behind fixation with one specific company for the combat management system (CMS) of the frigate acquisition project," Lorenzana said.
