AFP probing 2 officers allegedly disbursing OVP, DepEd secret funds

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MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is investigating two of its members who allegedly disbursed the confidential funds of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd), according to its spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla.

Padilla said the AFP is looking into possible administrative issues committed by Col. Dennis Nolasco and Col. Raymund Lachica.

During a House hearing last November 25, two OVP officials admitted to releasing millions worth of CFs to Nolasco, a security officer, and Lachica, the head of Vice President Sara Duterte’s security group.

“This is an ongoing investigation. For our part, for the Armed Forces of the Philippines, we’re looking at the merits of the case and what possible administrative issues that we might see and have to address. And if there are indeed issues, we will act accordingly,” Padilla said in a press briefing on Tuesday.

In the November 25 hearing, OVP special disbursing officer (SDO) Gina Acosta revealed that she left all the CF to Lachica, who was tasked to manage the CF.

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

Aside from this, the Philippine National Police earlier disclosed that Lachica allegedly physically assaulted Quezon City Police District Medical and Dental Unit chief Lt. Col. Jason Villamor during the transfer of OVP chief of staff Zuleika Lopez from the Veterans Memorial Medical Center to the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City.

Padilla said the AFP is also looking into possible administrative issues during the incident that need to be probed.

“The AFP is not biased we are going to cooperate if there are investigations. But for now, the temporary replacement will be based on the subpoena that is being given. The administrative side will be handled internally by the AFP,” she added.