DOJ set to probe plunder case vs ex-AFP chiefs, officials

MANILA, Philippines -  The Department of Justice (DOJ) is all set for the preliminary investigation into the plunder complaint filed by former military budget officer George Rabusa, who blew the whistle on alleged corruption in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) against 17 officials including three former AFP chiefs.

Secretary Leila de Lima has designated two prosecutors that would complete the composition of the special DOJ panel chaired by Prosecutor General Claro Arellano, head of the DOJ’s National Prosecution Service, tasked to handle the investigation.

In Department Order No. 305 released yesterday, the DOJ chief tapped Taguig City Prosecutor Archimedes Manabat and Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Susan Dacanay.

Apart from the main panel, the DOJ also created a support team with five members: Assistant State Prosecutors Merba Waga, Ma. Cristina Rilloraza, Corazon Romano of Quezon City and Nancy Gironella-Peig of Pasig City; and Prosecution Attorney Mark Rolang Estepa.

“The support team, in coordination with the investigating panel, shall be responsible for research, documentary inventory and status reports, as well as other related tasks as may be directed by the chairman of the panel,” the order stated.

In his complaint affidavit filed last April 14, Rabusa sought the indictment of former AFP chiefs-of-staff Diomedio Villanueva, Roy Cimatu and Efren Abu, former military comptrollers Jacinto Ligot and Carlos Garcia, and several others for plunder as punishable under Republic Act 7080.

He named as respondents Col. Cirilo Tomas Donato, Col. Roy Devesa, Maj. Emerson Angulo, retired Maj. Gen. Hilario Atendido, B/Gen. Benito de Leon, retired Lt. Col. Ernesto Paranis, Capt. Kenneth Paglinawan, Col. Gilbert Gapay, Col. Robert Arevalo, and Maj. Gen. Epineto Logico.

Rabusa also included in his complaint former Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) resident auditor Divina Cabrera and accountant Generoso del Castillo as respondents.

He submitted to the DOJ details and supporting documents on corruption in the military through misappropriation and conversion of millions in public funds, which he had exposed in congressional inquiries some three months ago.

“Respondents took advantage of their official positions, authority, and influence to unjustly enrich themselves at the expense and to the damage and prejudice of the Filipino people and the Republic of the Philippines,” Rabusa’s 86-page complaint reads.