4 officers linked to Pestaño slay face dismissal, says Navy chief

MANILA, Philippines—Navy Flag Officer in Command Vice Admiral Alexander Pama will recommend the dismissal of four Navy officers implicated in the 1995 murder of Navy Ensign Philip Pestaño.

Pama will send his recommendation to the Armed Forces of the Philippines general headquarters, which is expected to recommend the four officers’ dismissal to the Department of National Defense which in turn is expected to forward the recommendation to Malacañang.

Under the law, only the President as the Commander in Chief has the authority to dismiss a commissioned officer in the military service.

Pama has ordered the dismissal of two Navy enlisted personnel who also face murder charges for Pestaño’s death inside the BRP Bacolod City on Sept. 27, 1995.

Ombudsman’s order

Navy spokesperson Lt. Col. Omar Tonsay said Pama immediately acted on the order of Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, who found sufficient evidence to charge 10 Navy officers and enlisted personnel with the murder of the ensign.

He said the two enlisted personnel were dismissed “without prejudice to their reenlistment if they are cleared.”

Six of the 10 accused remain in the active service.

Four are officers, namely Commander Reynaldo Lopez, who is now serving as executive officer of the Navy’s newest ship, BRP Gregorio Del Pilar; Lt. Cmdr. Luidegar Casis, commanding officer of the Navy logistic ship BRP Tausug; Lt. Cmdr.

Alfrederick Alba, executive officer of BRP Dionisio Ojeda; and Lt. Cmdr. Joselito Colico, logistics officer of the Navy Forces Eastern Mindanao.

Two are enlisted personnel, namely Hospital Man 2 Welmenio Aquino, who is assigned with the Navy medical dispensary, and Machinery Repairman 2 Sandy Miranda, who is with the Navy headquarters support service.

Three of the accused have retired, namely Capt. Ricard Ordonez, Lt.Cmdr. Ruben Roque who is reported to be residing in the United States and Petty Officer 2nd Class Mil Igcasan Leonor.

The last accused, Petty Officer 1st Class Carlito Amoroso, was honorably discharged in 1999.

Morales reversed the May 2010 decision of her retired predecessor, Merceditas Gutierrez upholding the conclusion of Navy and Philippine National Police authorities that the young naval officer committed suicide.

The 24-year-old Pestaño was found dead in his cabin aboard the BRP Bacolod City before the ship docked in Manila.

While his superiors claimed he shot himself in the head, Pestaño’s parents said he was killed to prevent him from exposing an illegal shipment of lumber and illegal drugs.

Aside from finding cause to charge them with murder, Morales also ordered the dismissal of the six Navy personnel still on active service.