Officer-in-charge of frigate deal named Navy chief

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang has designated Rear Admiral Robert Empedrad, the acting Navy chief, as flag officer-in-command in a permanent capacity.

The order, approved by President Duterte and which took effect Dec. 19 last year, came as a surprise to a number of Navy officers who said Empedrad lacked the higher command experience – a prerequisite for the top post.

Empedrad was officer-in-charge of the technical working group that looked into the Navy Frigate Project, a P15.5-billion modernization effort that seeks to acquire two brand new frigates with combat management systems.

He replaced Vice Admiral Ronald Joseph Mercado who was unceremoniously relieved by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana for insubordination.

Both Empedrad and Mercado worked on the frigate project since it was conceived during the time of former president Benigno Aquino III. They also have different views on which supplier to purchase from.

Last week at Fort Magsaysay, Lorenzana said five senior officers were being considered to replace Mercado. He identified them as Rear Admiral Gaudencio Collado Jr., commander of the Philippine Fleet; Rear Admiral Danilo Rodelas, commander of the Naval Education and Training Command; Rear Admiral Rene Medina, commander, Naval Forces Western Mindanao; Rear Admiral Allan Ferdinand Cusi, chief of Naval Staff; and Empedrad, acting Acting Navy chief and then AFP deputy chief of staff for reservists and retiree affairs.

Lorenzana claimed that the names of the five officers were submitted on Dec. 31, in contrast to Malacañang’s Dec. 19 order that showed Empedrad’s designation as Navy chief in permanent capacity.

In his Jan. 16 letter to Lorenzana, President Duterte wrote: “I wish to inform you that, per your letter-endorsement and in accordance with the recommending of the Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines and chairman of the AFP Board of Generals, pursuant to Republic Act. No. 8186, as amended by Republic Act No. 9188, the designation f Rear Admiral Robert A. Empedrad 0-9514, Armed Forces of the Philippines, as Commander, Flag Officer In Command, Philippine Navy is hereby APPROVED effective Dec. 19, 2017.”

This designation surprised many Navy officers. A number expressed their reservations, pointing out that Empedrad lacked command experience.

“But as professional soldiers, we are to follow orders,” said one of the officers.

Another officer, who also requested anonymity, said Empedrad “never commanded any major unit in the Navy, a prerequisite for all navy officers, to become a good chief.”

Empedrad is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1986 and classmate of Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa. – With Christina Mendez