AFP probes 3 Navy officers accused of cover-up in Pestaño case

MANILA, Philippines - Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Lt. Gen. Jessie Dellosa has ordered a probe on the three officers accused of hiding key evidence surrounding the death of Ensign Philip Pestaño in 1995.

AFP spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said the complaint might be referred to military investigative offices like the Provost Marshal and Inspector General due to the seriousness of the accusation.

“It is anticipated that the chief of staff will refer this to the investigative offices of GHQ (general headquarters) like the provost marshal, the inspector-general or the Navy for investigation and appropriate disposition,” Burgos said.

He said Dellosa and Navy chief Vice Adm. Alexander Pama have the authority to decide whether the three officers would be relieved.

“It will depend on who would conduct the investigation,” Burgos said.

The three officers may be placed in confinement to ensure their availability during investigations.

On Monday, the camp of the 10 Navy men tagged in Pestaño’s death accused three officers of conspiring to hide important information and evidence about the case.

The subjects of the complaint were Lt. Col. Felix Tayo, Commander Joselito de Guzman, and Commander Romulo Vigilancia.

De Guzman and Vigilancia were classmates of Pestaño. On the other hand, Tayo reportedly treated the victim after he had tried to slash his wrist 17 days before his death.

In a complaint sent to Dellosa, Ana Luz Cristal, counsel of the 10 Navy men, said the three deliberately conspired to cover up the real cause of Pestaño’s death.

Tayo is now assigned to the Army’s 9th Division hospital while De Guzman is administrative officer of the AFP Command General Staff College. Vigilancia, on the other hand, is currently chief of staff of the Naval Logistics Center.

The three were accused of conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman, conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline and conduct bringing discredit upon the military service.

The charges are punishable by reprimand, demotion, or dismissal from the service depending on the gravity of the offense.

In 1995, Pestaño, then deck officer and cargo officer of BRP Bacolod City, was found dead in his cabin with a pistol and a letter purportedly saying that he killed himself.

Pestaño’s death came after he reportedly discovered that the cargo loaded in the ship were illegally cut logs and about 50 sacks of shabu passed off as flour. He reportedly refused to approve the cargo despite orders of his superiors.

The Office of the Ombudsman had found probable cause to indict the 10 Navy men for murder. It also found the respondents administratively liable for grave misconduct and ordered them dismissed from the service.

Four of the ten respondents have retired, namely, retired Navy Capt. Ricardo Ordoñez, retired Lt. Commander Ruben Roque, Petty Officer 1st Class Cartlito Amoroso and retired Petty Officer 2nd Class Mil Igcasan Leonor.

The six Navy men who are still in active service are Commander Reynaldo Lopez, Lt. Commander Luidegar Casis, Lt. Commander Alfrederick Alba, and Lt. Commander Joselito Colico; and enlisted personnel Machinery Repairman 2nd Class Sandy Miranda and Hospitalman 2nd Class Welmenio Aquino.

Cristal, however, maintained her clients are innocent and that Pestaño committed suicide due to love problems.