Mike Arroyo, PNP execs face plunder on chopper deal

Former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Plunder charges were formally filed against former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, several active and retired police officials and private individuals allegedly involved in the anomalous purchase of helicopters, the chief investigator of the case said Friday.

Police Director Samuel Pagdilao Jr., head of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), said the charges were lodged before Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales.

They stemmed from the alleged sale of two supposedly Arroyo-owned helicopters to the PNP as brand new in 2009.
Arroyo has since denied ownership of the helicopters.

Aside frrom Arroyo, former police officials facing plunder were former PNP chief retired Police Director General Jesus Verzosa, former PNP deputy Chief for Operations retired Police Deputy Director General Jefferson Soriano, former director for comptrollership retired Police Director Romeo Hilomen, former director for logistics retired Police Director Luizo Ticman and former director for research division retired Police Director Ronald Roderos.

Former Philippine National Police chief Jesus Versoza (right) with PNP Police Director George Piano in a huddle during the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing on the allegedly irregular sale of secondhand helicopters to the PNP. JESS YUSON/INQUIRER

Also included were officials still active in the service: Director Leocadio Santiago Jr., Police Director George Piano, Police Chief Superintendent Herold Ubalde and Police Senior Superintendent Lurimen Detran.

Other respondents are former Interior and Local Government secretary Ronaldo Puno, Conrado Sumaga Jr., former Napolcom staff service  chief of installation and logistic service; MAPTRA (Manila Aerospace Products Trading Corp.) president Hilario de Vera, LionAir Inc. head Archibald Po and Renato Sia of Asian Spirit.

“The conspiracy to commit plunder with predicate crimes foretold all started with Arroyo’s intention to dispose of the two helicopters,” said Pagdilao.

Po and De Vera originally hatched the plan to pass the old helicopters as brand new to the PNP, he said.

“Nothing personal here, evidence was the basis,” Pagdilao said.

Originally posted at 3:16 p.m.