AFP supports investigations of military officers accused of plunder

MANILA, Philippines—The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Thursday said they will provide any available assistance that they can in investigations to be conducted on former military officials accused of plunder.

“As always we are ready to provide resource persons not only to shed light on the truth [but also on] other documents and other information required by investigating authorities and all undertakings to ferret out the truth,” AFP spokesman Colonel Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said in a press briefing Thursday.

The statement came after the Department of Justice issued a resolution recommending the filing of charges against several military officials, mostly retired generals, for plunder.

Included in the resolution are the names of former AFP Chiefs of Staff Diomedio Villanueva and Roy Cimatu as well as former AFP comptrollers Carlos Garcia and Jacinto Ligot, Major General Hilario Atendido, Brigadier General Benito De Leon, Colonel Cirilo Tomas Donato, Colonel Roy Devesa, Lieutenant Colonel Ernesto Paranis, Generoso Del Castillo and Divina Cabrera.

Burgos said of the list only De Leon, Donato and Devesa are in active duty.

He said they will wait for the official copy of the resolution before they will take any action against those included in the charge sheet who are still in active military duty. He added those facing charges who are still in active service will be provided legal assistance.

Burgos said the AFP will adhere to legal procedures.

“We will just follow the legal procedures,” Burgos told reporters.

“The wheels of justice are just taking its course. We have to uphold due process of law,” he added.

When asked if this action of the DoJ will deter possible corrupt practices in the future within the institution, Burgos said: “Hindi naman ito panakot. Justice system ito at work, bahagi lang talaga ito. Lahat naman subjected to due process (This is not a threat. This is justice system at work, a part of it. Everything is subjected to due process).”

He added the military’s campaign against corruption has been continuous and the institution does not tolerate corrupt practices.

“We are serious with the reforms… and we will still support reforms in the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” he added.