AFP wraps up probe on general accused of using soldiers to build his house

MANILA, Philippines—The military is wrapping up its investigation on an Army general accused of using soldiers for the construction of his house in Taguig City.

“The investigation has been ongoing for the past two weeks or three weeks, or maybe more than a month, and we are just awaiting for the completion of the report and the submission to [Chief of Staff General Emmanuel Bautista],” military spokesman Brigadier General Domingo Tutaan told reporters Tuesday.

He added the accused, Brigadier General Dante Costes, chief of the Communications Electronics and Information Systems Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (CEISSAFP) at Camp Aguinaldo, has taken a leave of absence over the conduct of investigation.

Tutaan said the investigation turns out to be “adverse,” there is a possibility that Costes will be relieved from his post.

The deputy chief of staff for CEIS (J6) Major General Crisologo Naybe is currently taking over Costes’ post while he is on leave.

Costes, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1980, is facing a complaint of using up to 30 soldiers to construct his three-storey house at AFP Officers Village Inc (AFPOVAI).

The AFP Chief ordered the investigation on the written complaint filed by an individual who identified himself as a “concerned citizen.”

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