Sandiganbayan orders ex-CIDG chief’s arrest

MANILA, Philippines - The Sandiganbayan ordered yesterday the arrest of retired chief superintendent Eduardo Matillano, former Philippine National Police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief, for not filing his statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALNs) for eight years and for not declaring his properties and business interests.

The anti-graft court’s Second Division issued two warrants for Matillano’s arrest for three perjury cases and eight other charges for failing to file his SALNs from 1994 to 2000 and in 2004. A government employee who fails to file his SALN violates Republic Act 6713, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

The cases against Matillano were lodged before the Sandiganbayan after Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales approved the findings of probable cause against the retired police official in September 2012.

The former CIDG chief is accused of failing to declare five real estate properties in Antipolo City and Palawan; nine motor vehicles registered in his name and one in the name of his wife; and investments in five different companies, among others.

The real properties supposedly include two lots in Kingsville Subdivision, Antipolo City; two buildings, in Antipolo City; and a 1.69-hectare land in Roxas, Palawan.

Graft investigators also found that a 2001 Toyota Hi-Ace van (WRY-812), a 1998 Nissan Patrol (WHZ-648), a 1996 Kia Ceres (UGT-693), a 1998 Honda motorcycle (TC-8111), a Mitsubishi Fuso (CNL-374), one Isuzu dump truck (UHR-635), a Misubishi Fuso tractor (UFL-564), an Isuzu vehicle (TDD-829) and a Suzuki Esteem (UTK-901) are reportedly registered under Matillano’s name.

The Ombudsman also alleged that Matillano did not list in his SALNs his business interests in Palawan Agromate Products Inc., First Food Caterers and Managers Corp., Warbird Security and Investigation Agency Inc., Camttrade Industrial Supply Corp. and Mega Source Technological and Industrial Corp.