Duterte denies aide intervened in Philippines warship deal
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte denied reports his chief aide had improperly intervened in the acquisition of two new warships for $308 million, just weeks after the country's navy chief was sacked for jeopardising the deal.
Speaking on 16 January Duterte, who has long insisted he would fire any official at the slightest 'whiff' of corruption, challenged the media to produce evidence of wrongdoing so he could sack his righthand-man Christopher Go.
In an angry outburst, he accused local news website Rappler, which first reported the allegations, of publishing 'fake news'.
The government signed a contract in 2016 with South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries to build two frigates to be delivered to the Philippine navy in 2020 and 2021.
But concerns were raised last month as the commander of the Philippine Navy was abruptly sacked for delaying the project.
Defence secretary Delfin Lorenzana claimed Vadm Ronald Joseph Mercado was trying to force the government to award a separate contract for the warships' combat management systems to a specific electronics company.
Mercado was removed from office following 'instructions from higher authorities', according to military officials.
While Mercado has not yet responded to Lorenzana's allegations in public, Go on 16 January issued a statement denying any malpractice, saying he had not participated or intervened directly or indirectly in the transactions.
'I have not intervened in the procurement of the computer system for its [the defence department's] ships,' Go said.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Royal Canadian Navy advances with the construction of its first River-Class destroyer]()
Royal Canadian Navy advances with the construction of its first River-Class destroyer
Scheduled for delivery by 2033, HMCS Fraser will be a major surface component of the Canadian maritime combat power.
-
![Ireland orders Thales towed array sonar]()
Ireland orders Thales towed array sonar
Ireland has a large Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) which extends 370km (200nm) offshore and contains 75% of the transatlantic subsea cables which carry $10 trillion in financial transactions daily. The country is investing to increase protection and surveillance of these waters.
-
![South Korea advances next-gen naval concepts for future force needs]()
South Korea advances next-gen naval concepts for future force needs
HHI and Hanwha Ocean outline highly autonomous and unmanned-enabled designs as the ROKN explores force structure for the 2030s and beyond.
-
![US representatives plan to invest $1.6 billion in US Coast Guard inventory in FY2026]()
US representatives plan to invest $1.6 billion in US Coast Guard inventory in FY2026
The FY26 Homeland Security Bill Markup of the House Committee on Appropriations included resources for the procurement of ships, aircraft and unmanned systems.
-
![US Navy seeks industry partners to address pressing research needs]()
US Navy seeks industry partners to address pressing research needs
The Office of Naval Research will host an Industry Engagement Day in August aiming at building new partnerships and advancing its science and technology initiatives in multiple areas.
