By Alexis Romero (The Philippine Star)
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) vowed yesterday to cooperate with agencies that would investigate alleged anomalies involving military chiefs of staff, saying revelations of fund misuse within its ranks would pave the way for a stronger anti-corruption policy.
AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr. admitted that they are facing “challenging times†due to the revelation of retired Lt. Col. George Rabusa that AFP chiefs traditionally receive hefty sums upon assuming office and retirement.
Mabanta maintained that Rabusa’s allegations would prod the AFP to intensify its drive against corruption.
Rabusa, a former AFP budget officer, told a Senate hearing last week that former AFP chief Angelo Reyes received P50 million as “pabaon†or sendoff money when he retired from the service in 2001.
Rabusa, who was the budget officer when Reyes was AFP chief, alleged that the cash gift was on top of a monthly P5 million “personal fund†that Reyes received for 15 months.
Rabusa claimed that former AFP chiefs Diomedio Villanueva and Roy Cimatu also got P10 million each in “welcome gifts†when they assumed the military leadership. He said the major services and various
military units were used as “clearing houses†to allow ranking AFP officials to get millions in allowances or bonuses.
The retired colonel also revealed that top AFP officials are drawing P40 million monthly from the budget of the Army, Air Force, and Navy. Rabusa said Reyes might have accumulated about P100 million during his 20-month stint as military chief.
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Topic: Corrupt Officials of Philippine Military? (Read 1130 times)