Breakaway CAV group urges Agarao to resign

Disgruntled members of the Crusade Against Violence (CAV) called yesterday for the resignation of their president Carina Agarao for an alleged P1.25 million fund anomaly since 1998.

The breakaway group led by CAV auditor, Juliet Cruz, officially withdrew their support of Agarao for what they described as "abuses" she had committed against members.

"We want to know what happened to the funds which were solicited from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)," Cruz said.

In a press conference, Cruz said Agarao has yet to account for the P1-million donation from the PCSO.

The CAV also asked Agarao to explain what happened to the P250,000 allocated to the group by the DSWD under then Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

In a three-page memorandum of agreement between the CAV and the PCSO dated May 22, 1998, it said that "the grant shall be given to the second party (CAV) as PCSO’s financial assistance to be used by its members in accomplishing the objective of the Court Watch Program.

But CAV officer Nida Sallon immediately came to Agarao’s defense. She told reporters that Cruz was no longer a member of the group since she was among those who bolted the organization in 1998.

"Their allegation has no basis. Cruz’s group merely wanted to discredit Mrs. Agarao because they enjoy the support of Philippine National Police chief Deputy Director Leandro Mendoza," Sallon told The STAR.

It will be recalled that Agarao was one of those who vigorously opposed the appointment of Mendoza as PNP chief.

The breakaway group alleged that Agarao is also using for personal use an ambulance van donated by the PCSO, supposedly for the CAV’s so-called "Court Watch Program."

The CAV is an anti-crime watchdog, composed of members who were victims of heinous crimes.

Members of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) also expressed support for the decision of the CAV to oust Agarao.

Alice Vinculado, of the VACC, said that Agarao has utilized the group for her personal gains, including (Agarao’s) recent attacks against acting Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Deputy Director General Leandro Mendoza.

"We do not really know her reasons for (attacking Mendoza). It is personal," said Vinculado, whose son was shot dead over a land dispute in Bulacan a few years back. – Christina Mendez, Non Alquitran and Cecille Suerte Felipe