Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo reveals that 2,000 out of the 58,000 police pensioners are fake. MARIANNE BERMUDEZ/INQUIRER
MANILA, Philippines – Charges are being readied against more than 30 police officials and suppliers allegedly involved in the overpriced repair and refurbishing of V-150 light armored vehicles, Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo told 990 AM Friday.
“We are headed towards filing a case. There are a lot of irregularities. A complaint is being prepared,” said Robredo in Filipino when asked about the status of the Department of Interior and Local Government’s own investigation into the controversy.
As to how many were involved, Robredo said, “There are about 30, some still in active duty while others are suppliers.” Reports said that among those included was former Philippine National Police chief Avelino Razon Jr.
In a separate interview over 990AM, Razon admitted to signing the documents for the repair and refurbishing of the LAVs but said that this did not mean that he was involved in anything illegal.
He said there was a process that was followed which was according to the law.
“From what I know, this passed through the Bidding and Awards Committee, and then Inspection based on what is under the law,” said Razon.
On Thursday, Robredo said that there were 36 police officers and personnel facing criminal liability and would be investigated for allegedly participating in the anomalous repair and refurbishing of 28 V-150 LAVs worth P409.74 million in 2007.
Aside from Razon, facing criminal charges under Republic Act (RA) 9184 and RA 3019 were former Bids and Awards Committee(BAC) chairman, Police Deputy Director General Reynaldo Varilla; Police Director Charlemagne Alejandrino, Police Chief Superintendent Ray Roderos and Police Chief Superintendent Mario San Diego – all from National Head Quarters-BAC;
Superintendent Emmanuel Ojeda, Police Senior Superintendent Reuel Leverne Labrado, Police Chief Inspector Annalee Forro, Police Superintendent Edgar Pataan, Police Superintendent Henry Duque and Senior Police Officer 4 Victor Puddao – all from Logistics Support Service (LSS)-BAC;
Police Superintendent Warlito Tubon, Police Superintendent Fernando Caparas, Police Senior Inspector Paul Richard Benson, Police Senior Inspector Juanito Estrebor and Police Inspector Domingo Aldave – from the LSS-Inspection and Acceptance Committee;
Police Director Eliseo dela Paz, Police Senior Superintendent Dennis Cannoy, Antonio Retrato, Police Superintendent Rainer Espina, Antonio Mallorco, Alex Barrameda, Patricia Enaje, and Maria Teresa Narcise – from the Directorate for Comptrollership department;
Police Chief Superintendent Teodorico Lapuz IV, Police Senior Superintendent Victor Agarcio, Police Superintendent Josefina Demanew, Police Superintendent Edgar Pataan, Senior Police Officer 4 Alfredo Laviña and Mr. Eulito Fuentes – from Logistics Support Service.
The suppliers are Harold Ong of Environ-Aire Inc., Evangeline Bais of Evans Spare Parts and Motor Works, Repairs and Trading; Pamela Pensotes of RJP International Trading Construction and General Services, Oscar Madamba of Serpenair Group Inc., Rasha Zaballero of Dex-Lan Enterprises, and Marianne Jimenez of RKGK Enterprises.
PNP Chief Direcor General Raul Bacalzo said while all those mentioned would be investigated, it did not mean that they were already liable. “This investigation is to know whether they were involved.”
“Everything was based on documents,” Bacalzo said, adding that out of respect for the former PNP chief, he called Razon and informed him that he would be included in the investigation.
Robredo said he gave the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) 15 days to determine the criminal liability and the filing of criminal charges before the Office of the Ombudsman against them.
The National Police Commission (Napolcom) was also directed to conduct a separate investigation and initiate filing of administrative charges against police officers still in active duty and who were found to have been involved in the scam, he said.
“The present Napolcom will investigate the former Napolcom, why there was a resolution when in fact, there was no need for a resolution, ” Robredo said.
“While that may not be illegal, it’s a little abnormal in the sense you know,” Robredo said.
The investigation may also include former Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, he said.
“In the process of violating RA 9184 and the Accounting Rules and Regulations, many of the concerned PNP officers and suppliers committed falsification of documents, usurpation of authority and technical malversation. This could not have happened if there was no collusion between and amongst the bidders and the PNP personnel involved,” Robredo said.
For the rest of the interview on Robredo, listen to 990AM.