Navy chief Empedrad says frigates deal probe will make ‘truth come out’

Rear Adm. Robert Empedrad
INQUIRER PHOTO/JOAN BONDOC

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines—Philippine Navy chief Rear Admiral Robert Empedrad has said that he was confident that the truth would come out in the Senate investigation on the P15.5-billion frigates deal.

“[The probe is] very good, at least the truth will come out,” Empedrad said in an interview during the sidelines of the Philippine Military Academy’s (PMA) annual alumni homecoming here on Saturday.

Empedrad maintained that there was no anomaly in the Navy’s now-controversial acquisition of the Combat Management System (CMS) for the frigates.

The Senate committee on national defense and security will launch its investigation on the deal on Monday.

Empedrad, Special Assistant to the President Sec. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, and Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque were set to attend the hearing.

The Inquirer first reported in January that Go allegedly meddled in the Navy’s selection of the weapons system for the frigate project of the government.

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

READ: Palace welcomes probe into PH Navy’s P15.7B frigates purchase

Go has denied interfering in the Department of National Defense’s selection of the Navy’s weapons system supplier. He said he would resign if the allegations against him could be proven true.

President Rodrigo Duterte has also denied Go’s involvement, daring his critics to prove his aide’s involvement and he would immediately fire him. /je

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