Manila removes navy chief over frigate deal

MANILA, Dec 20 (AFP): The commander of the Philippine Navy was sacked for "insubordination" after he jeopardised a 15.5 billion-peso ($308 million) project for two new warships, the defence minister said Wednesday.

Vice Admiral Ronald Joseph Mercado was abruptly removed from office on Tuesday with military officials saying only the surprise move followed "instructions from higher authorities".

Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana told reporters Wednesday he obtained permission from President Rodrigo Duterte to remove Mercado owing to the frigate project, which has been awarded to a South Korean shipbuilder.

"I had to do it because he (Mercado) was jeopardising the project," said Lorenzana, who sworn in a temporary navy flag commander in Mercado's place on Tuesday.

The government signed a contract last year with Hyundai Heavy Industries to build two frigates to be delivered to the Philippine navy in 2020 and 2021.