3rd ID unaffected by issues hounding AFP

ILOILO CITY, Philippines – The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division is not at all affected by allegations of corruption beleaguering the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

This was the statement yesterday of Maj. Gen. Vicente Porto, commander of the 3rd ID, saying that he and his men have remained steadfast in performing their mandate of service to the people while upholding the principles of transparency and accountability.

“We have tasks to do and our troops on the ground are fully committed to perform them,” Porto said, following the recent declaration of the AFP welcoming the probe on alleged millions of pesos given to chiefs of staff upon retirement, also known as “send-off” money.

“The AFP has indicated its willingness to support any investigation by competent authorities on the revelation made by Col. George Rabusa. We hope that these will shed light on what transpired and help allow the laws take its due course,” Porto told The Freeman.

The case involving Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia happened while he was the AFP comptroller from year 2001 to 2004, “Since then the AFP has initiated significant institutional reforms to stop such incidents from happening again,” said Porto.

“This was also in response to the clamor for reforms in the AFP raised by mutineers during the Oakwood Mutiny,” he said.

The most significant reform was the deactivation of the then Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Comptrollership (J6) in 2005.

This was replaced by four independent bodies or offices in order to institute fiscal reforms and control, and strengthen the check and balance system.