Navy panel wants pre-trial investigation of Admiral Angue

MANILA, Philippines – A Navy panel has recommended a pre-trial investigation of Rear Adm. Feliciano Angue, who had previously criticized the supposed favoritism and politics in the military’s promotion system.

A senior officer who requested anonymity said the panel’s recommendation has been forwarded to the office of Armed Forces chief Gen. Ricardo David Jr. in the first week of November.

“The report left the Navy headquarters on the first week of November. The recommendation was to conduct a pre-trial investigation, which is a requirement of the court-martial,” the source said.

The source said the head of the panel, then Navy Vice Commander Rear Adm. Roberto Estioko, completed the findings before he retired from the service.

This was confirmed by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr., who said the military leadership received the recommendation last month.

“The Philippine Navy special investigating committee submitted to general headquarters their recommendation regarding the Angue case,” Mabanta said.

“They (panel) recommended that the JAGO (Judge Advocate General’s Office) conduct a pre-trial investigation. This has to be approved by the chief of staff,” he added.

The source said the pre-trial investigation will determine if Angue should face the military court-martial.

“It may or may proceed to court-martial,” the source said.

The military had previously vowed to conduct a fair investigation on Angue, who was charged of violating the AFP code of ethics. He was placed on floating status last August after he issued statements questioning the AFP’s promotion system.

Prior to that, Angue was named commander of the naval forces in Western Mindanao, a two-star position. Before the appointment, he was commander of the National Capital Region Command, a three-star post.

The reshuffle came after Angue revealed that some military officers supported politicians during the May 2010 polls to get key posts.

He claimed he was demoted but the AFP leadership insisted that his new assignment was appropriate to his rank as a two-star general.

Angue also claimed that the promotion system has been politicized and that Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin was meddling in the giving of posts. He said officers who served as Gazmin’s subordinates benefited from the politics in the system.

Defense and military officials have belied his allegations and ordered him to bring his concerns to the proper forum.

But Angue continued to hold press briefings even after receiving an order barring him from talking to the media about the issue.

This prompted the AFP leadership to place him on floating status pending the results of the probe on his supposed ethical lapses.