Vice Admiral Ronald Joseph Mercado was replaced by Rear Admiral Robert Empedrad, the AFP deputy chief of staff for reserve and retirees’ affairs, as Philippine Navy chief during a closed-door turnover ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City. Col. Edgard Arevalo, AFP spokesman, said Mercado was placed on floating status, assigned to the Office of the AFP Chief of Staff. Sources said Mercado’s relief stemmed from the procurement of a weapons system under the Philippine Navy’s Frigate Program, worth P18 billion. Mercado “made noise,” and “even called on former flag officers in command of the Navy,” the source said. The source also said Empedrad had a misunderstanding with Mercado when the former was commander of the Navy Patrol Force and project manager of the frigate program.

Source: Manila Times December 19, 2017 16:52 UTC