AFP appeals to accused officer to face malversation charges

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Army on Thursday appealed to a former disbursing officer of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) accused of pocketing government funds to face the charges against him.

“We are hoping na he will face the charges to clear his name because as long as he’s not coming out the case will be attributed to him. People will think he’s guilty,” Army spokesman Colonel Randolph Cabangbang said in Filipino, referring to Major Christopher Lee Patindol.

Patindol is accused of pocketing P1.4-million funds of “Balik-Baril” program.

A member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1997, he has been dropped from rolls after going absent without leave (AWOL) in 2011, Cabangbang told INQUIRER.net.

A Quezon City court ordered the arrest for Patindol, who is facing three counts of malversation of government funds for falsifying the signature of then Commodore and now Vice Admiral Jose Rodriguez of the Civil-Military Operations in three checks in 2011.

“We are appealing to him, not only to, not only for the case to progress but also for him to clear his name,” he added.

The case was filed by Lieutenant Commander Arnold Marie Obra, the acting chief of the CMO administrative division.