DILG keeps hands off undersecretary, PCG row

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is keeping its hands off the controversy involving its undersecretary, Martin Diño, and his supposed unauthorized Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA) two-star rank and use of PCGA’s uniform.

In a statement, Assistant Interior Secretary Jonathan Malaya said that Diño’s membership in the PCGA was between Diño and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

“The DILG has nothing to do with this matter,” Malaya said.

Diño drew flak online after netizens saw his Facebook post showing him wearing a PCGA uniform as a rear admiral.

The PCG said Diño was not a member of its support group, adding that the DILG official must have been recruited by a bogus organization.

Diño was quoted as saying that he was recruited in 2015 by the Manila Yacht Club Squadron and given the rank of commodore. —Nikko Dizon