Reyes death "affects, but won't distract" local military

CEBU, Philippines - Lieutenant General Ralph Villanueva, Commander of Central Command revealed that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is affected by the death of former AFP chief Angelo Reyes but he assured that they will remain steadfast and united amidst his death and the controversy.

“Of course our soldiers are affected but this should not distract us from performing our duties,” he said.

Reyes, 65 allegedly committed suicide yesterday morning inside the Loyal Memorial Garden in Marikina City. He shot himself in the chest using a caliber .45 pistol in front of his mother’s grave while his children were heading back to his car parked meters away.

He was rushed to the Quirino Memorial Medical Center but declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

The entire Central Command units expressed their sympathies for the family of Reyes.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Military Academy- Cebu Squad, Inc. is condemning the widespread corruption in the AFP and is calling for a reform in the system, especially on procurement, among others.

The death of the former chief of staff came amidst investigation regarding money matters that has rocked the organization.

Reyes started as team leader in the Philippine Army Special Forces. He then became the Commanding General of the Philippine Army before he was appointed as the chief of staff of the AFP.

He also served as National Defense Secretary from 2001 until 2003 and then Energy Secretary during the Arroyo administration.

Villanueva said he already reminded the commanders and other high ranking officials to discuss with their men to continue working on security and peace in the region.

“Our soldiers are professionals and we trained them to act professionally, they are affected of what happened but not in a way that they forgot their duty,” he said.Villanueva hopes that the investigation on the way the AFP funds were handled will be completed soon.

Early last month, Reyes was accused of pocketing a huge sum of money from the armed forces when ex-military budget officer George Rabusa revealed the existence of a multimillion-peso payola pot at the Camp Aguinaldo general headquarters. Rabusa, a retired lieutenant colonel, testified before the Senate blue ribbon committee that he and other top military officials shared an annual payola pot of about P480 million, raised from different AFP units.

Villanueva, however, said that the release of military funds now passes through check and balance.

In Cebu, a candle-lighting and a minute of prayer was offered by more or less 300 personnel of the Central Command.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Military Academy- Cebu Squad, Inc. recognizes that the widespread graft in the AFP were the main causes of resignation or retirement of talented officers in the AFP.

The said unit condemns the rampant corruption in the AFP in a manifesto that reads: “the PMA-Cebu Squad, Inc. demands for the creation of a stricter law or regulation that cures the defects and loopholes of the current procurement law, the latter being already obsolete.”

Retired colonel Clarence Martinez, president of PMA-Cebu Squad Inc., said they appreciate the revelations of the witnesses and for their being men enough to admit their guilt.

 Martinez added that they fully support the prosecution of those who are directly or indirectly involved, regardless of rank or personality.  (FREEMAN)