AFP mum on raps vs execs of junked VP security group over secret funds

Armed Forces of the Philippines logo. INQUIRER FILES

RIZAL, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has neither confirmed nor denied reports that officials of the now-dissolved Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG) may face court martial proceedings due to their purported involvement in the release of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education’s (DepEd) confidential funds (CF).

“Here’s one thing that the Armed Forces is very sure about. No one is above the law. We commit ourselves to transparency and accountability to our personnel regarding the rule of law,” AFP public affairs office chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said.

This was his response to questions asking him about reports claiming that the Provost Marshal General (PMG) office is already forming a fact-finding committee to investigate Col. Raymund Dante Lachica and Col. Dennis Nolasco.

Lachica served as the commander of the VPSPG, while Nolasco was a deputy commander.

In December last year, the AFP disclosed that it was already investigating Nolasco and Lachica and looking for “possible administrative issues” committed by the two.

During a House of Representatives hearing last November 25, two OVP officials admitted to releasing millions worth of CFs to Nolasco and Lachica.

In the same hearing, OVP special disbursing officer (SDO) Gina Acosta revealed that she left all the CF to Lachica, who was tasked to manage them.

Similarly, former DepEd SDO Edward Fajarda said he released the funds to Nolasco, who was assigned by Duterte to disburse them.