Deputy Ombudsman for Visayas probed

CEBU CITY — Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Primo Miro will be investigated for absolving two Customs officials of any liability in the escape from Customs custody of a ship, which was carrying 20,000 bags of smuggled rice, on Christmas Eve of 2001.

Miro, however, is a member of the Internal Affairs Board of the Office of the Ombudsman that has been tasked to investigate him.

Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo ordered the newly created board to investigate Miro in connection with criminal and administrative complaints filed against him by Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service agent Ely Gealan, marine engineer Bienvenido Caluyo and Maritime police officer Rodolfo Cantero.

Miro dismissed the complainants from the service last Sept. 15 after finding them guilty of grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service in the aftermath of the escape of M/V Great Faith from Customs custody.

Internal Affairs Board administrative officer Maria Rowena Viloria, in a letter dated Oct. 22 but received only the other day, told Narciso Boiser, the complainants’ lawyer, that Marcelo has referred to her office the complaints they have filed against Miro.

Viloria assured the complainants that the board would make "a just disposition" as soon as possible based on the merits of the case and the evidence on record.

But The Freeman found out that Miro is a member of the board tasked to investigate the charges against him.

Ombudsman Administrative Order 16 issued by Marcelo only last July provides that the Internal Affairs Board is to be composed of the overall Deputy Ombudsman, special prosecutor and the four Ombudsman deputies for Luzon, the Visayas, Mindanao and the military.

Marcelo created the board to police their own ranks and to protect the public against abuses of anti-graft officials and employees.

Boiser, however, said overall Deputy Ombudsman Margarito Gervacio assured him and his clients that there will be a just and fair investigation.

Boiser said Gervacio is expected in Cebu this week to personally lead the investigation of Miro. — Freeman News Service