Senate minority calls for probe into Navy frigate procurement

MANILA, Philippines — Members of the Senate minority bloc have filed a resolution calling for an investigation into the controversial multibillion-peso frigate acquisition program of the Philippine Navy.

The resolution, which was filed Tuesday, directs the Committee on National Defense and Security and the Congressional Oversight Committee on the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Act to conduct the probe into the procurement of two Navy frigates.

The resolution seeks to “determine whether or not such acquisition promotes the goals of the modernization program and complies with pertinent laws.”

Sens. Francis Pangilinan, Franklin Drilon, Antonio Trillanes IV, Bam Aquino, Risa Hontiveros and Leila de Lima signed the document.

Earlier this week, it was reported that Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go intervened in the procurement deal. President Rodrigo Duterte and Go both denied the participation of Malacañang.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Vice Admiral Ronald Joseph Mercado, relieved as Navy flag officer in command over the frigate deal, also denied that Go meddled with the frigate acquisition project.

The deal was initiated during President Benigno Aquino III's administration but the contract was signed during the Duterte administration, the minority bloc said.

Hyundai Heavy Industries won the bid to deliver the Navy’s two frigates.

READ: Alejano: Duterte should probe Bong Go over Navy frigate issue

Rep. Gary Alejano (Magdalo party-list), who has questioned the deal for the frigates' Combat Management Systems, said that Hyundai Heavy Industries offered the military the combat management systems of Naval Shield of Hanwha Thales of South Korea and the Thales Tacticos of Netherlands.

The Magdalo lawmaker said that the Navy chose Thales Tacticos of Netherlands because it had the better and more advanced system used by almost two dozen navies in the world.

According to Alejano, Thales Tacticos is used by 23 navies around the world and is installed on around 172 ships while Hanwha's system is employed only by the South Korean Navy.

The South Korean firm's ongoing contract with the Malaysian Navy is only for training purposes, he said.