Ex-Navy chief Empedrad denies plunder, graft allegations

Former Philippine Navy chief Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad called the allegations of former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV lies, according to a 24 Oras report on Thursday.

Trillanes filed the graft and plunder complaints against Emperedad, former president Rodrigo Duterte, Senator Bong Go, former Defense undersecretary Raymundo Elefante and former Budget undersecretary Christopher Lao.  

The former solon and PN officer alleged that there was an anomaly in the P16 billion Philippine Navy Frigate Acquisition Project during the Duterte administration.

Empedrad said he has nothing else to do but defend himself as he stressed his conscience is clear.

The retired admiral  added he does not know Trillanes’ motive when he filed the plunder complaint with the Department of Justice.

The former Navy chief also said he has been attending the investigations of the Senate, House and the Commission on Appointments, and that he has been consistent in his statements.

He added that lawmakers found no anomalies in his appointment as Navy chief.

Empedra also denied his involvement in the anomaly acquisition project because he was retired when the Navy received the two warships.

Trillanes filed two cases against Duterte and some of his closest allies in July.

The first was a plunder complaint against Duterte and Go while the second was a drug smuggling and graft complaint against Davao Representative Paolo Duterte and two others.—Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News