The claim of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana that the acquisition of two new frigates for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) started under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte lacks context.
STATEMENT
During Duterte’s public address on Feb. 21, Lorenzana reported updates on the purchase of new military equipment such as naval ships:
“Ito naman ‘yung ating naumpisahan, nagsimula noong kayo ay Presidente, Mr. President, at saka nakumpleto noong kayo ay ano — noong nakaraan lang … dalawang frigates na in-order natin noong 2017 at nai-deliver noong nakaraang taon.”
(This one we started under your presidency, Mr. President, and completed when you were … just recently … two frigates we ordered in 2017 and delivered last year.)
Source: RTVMalacanang, Talk to the People, Feb. 21, 2022, watch from 1:22:51 to 1:23:11 (transcript)
The defense chief claimed that the Duterte administration bought more equipment for the military than the five previous administrations.
FACT
While delivery of the two new frigates for the Philippine Navy was during the Duterte administration, government announcements and media reports show that the procurement process began in 2013, during the administration of the late President Benigno Aquino III.
Read the full story on VERA Files Fact Check.
