Army general faces rap for allegedly using soldiers to construct his house

MANILA, Philippines—An Army general is facing a complaint for allegedly using soldiers in the construction of his three-storey house in Taguig City, prompting the military leadership to order an investigation.

“The [AFP] Chief of Staff [General Emmanuel Bautista] is already aware of the issue and has taken steps to address it. He has already recommended the complaint to the proper investigating body. We will make sure that this will undergo due process for the benefit of those concerned,” military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala told reporters Tuesday.

In a letter of complaint submitted by a “concerned citizen,” Brigadier General Dante Costes, chief of the Communications Electronics and Information Systems Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (CEISSAFP) at Camp Aguinaldo was accused of allegedly using soldiers to manpower the construction of his three-storey house at Armed Forces of the Philippines Officers Village Association Inc. [AFPOVAI] in Fort Bonifacio.

The complainant also provided the complete address and map of the officer’s house.

“Tama po ba na ang trabaho ng mga sundalong ito ay mapapabayaan na lamang at unahin ang personal na kapakanan ni Brig Gen. Costes sa paggawa ng sarili niyang bahay? (Is it right that the duty of our soldiers should take a backseat for the sake of Brig Gen. Costes’s personal needs, which is the construction of his house?),” the letter of the complainant said.

The complainant said there are about 20 to 30 soldiers who are forced to work as construction workers every day who are not paid, and even “cursed” when they make a mistake.

Some of the officers and personnel from the CEISSAFP are allegedly involved in the construction, serving as engineers and foreman.

The complainant also revealed an alleged discriminatory gas allocation at CEISSAFP, saying that an enlisted personnel cannot get a share of the supposed large distribution, but civilians, friends, and Costes easily have access to it.

Costes is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1980.

Zagala said the AFP chief received the copy of the complaint two weeks ago, and will make a decision based on the recommendation of the investigative body.

Costes will remain in his position as CEISSAFP chief pending the investigation, Zagala said, adding that he will be given “due process.”

The Army general is “the primary person of interest” in the case, but “if there is a need to investigate others in the process of their probe then they will make the necessary adjustment,” Zagala said.

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The spokesman also encouraged personnel to formalize their complaints through the military’s grievance system.

“When we write something against the organization, if you have a complaint against someone or an activity within the organization, you can help by using the grievance system that is already established in the AFP,” he said.

“The system is there it was established so that we can resolve issues and file complaints and make the necessary actions not only to go against people with issues but to improve the organization,” he added.