Frigate controversy may be part of destabilization effort vs Duterte admin, says Roque

Presidential Spokesperon Atty. Harry Roque responds to follow up question after the press briefing in Malacañang on January 23, 2018. TOTO LOZANO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

The controversy hounding the frigate deal of the Philippine Navy may be part of a destabilization plot against the Duterte administration, Malacanang has said.

“[S]a tingin ko ito na iyong [destabilization] na sinasabi nila,” Roque said in an interview over state-run Radyo Pilipinas on Monday.

Roque claimed that even before he joined the Cabinet, he has heard from his former ”consultant” and a “public relations practitioner” that there would be a “major destab effort” against the administration.

“Mayroon kasing—consultant ako nung ako ay nasa Kongreso pa at may public relations practitioner. Sinabihan ako na mayroon daw major destab effort na magsisimula daw sa isang mistah sa opisina,” he said.

Asked to elaborate about the alleged destabilization efforts,  Roque said the issues being thrown against the administration could be part of efforts to “discredit” the government.

“Puwede ko ring sabihin iyon, na ang mga issues na binabato ngayon sa mga administrasyon nagkakasabay-sabay at nagpapakita na  parang may hirit na naman na i-discredit itong ating administrasyon. Eh kami naman, pagdating naman dito sa communication, bumato sila, sasagot kami,” he said.

The Inquirer first reported that Special Assistant to the president Christopher “Bong” Go allegedly meddled in the Navy’s selection of the weapons system for the frigate project of the government.

READ: Palace had special interest in Navy’s selection of weapons system supplier

The report said Go allegedly wanted Hanwha Thales (HTC) of South Korea to provide the combat management systems (CMS) over the Tacticos CMS of Thales Nederlands.

Go has denied this allegation and said he would resign if it could be proven true.

READ: Go: Prove I meddled in warships deal and I will resign

President Rodrigo Duterte has also said he would fire Go if the accusation that he meddled in the Navy warship deal could be proven true.

READ: Duterte: Prove Go meddled in warship equipment deal and I’ll fire him

Roque had earlier said the bidding for the acquisition of the Navy’s two frigates was already done during the administration of President Benigno Aquino III.