Land Bank in Region 6 silent on AFP's $5M 'missing fund'

ILOILO CITY , Philippines  — The management of the Land Bank of the Philippines-Regional Office 6 has chosen to remain tight-lipped on the controversial missing fund of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

This was after former COA auditor Heide Mendoza alleged that the bank accounts in the cities of Iloilo and General Santos City were used to clear accounts of the AFP from the United Nations fund amounting to $5 million.

In an interview over Bombo Radyo Iloilo, Rizalina Helever, technical assistance for LBP-6 office based in this city, said their main office sent a memorandum ordering them not to give any statement relative to the alleged anomalies in the AFP.

Mendoza earlier alleged that some P270 million of AFP funds representing reimbursements from the UN have been missing.

The money was supposed to be "reimbursement for equipment" used by Filipino troops sent abroad for UN peacekeeping missions.

She further alleged that the $5 million check did not enter the books of accounts of the AFP.

Instead of going to the government's coffers, part of the money was allegedly deposited to Land Bank accounts, which was allegedly owned by former AFP comptroller Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia, whose wife Clarita is a native of Iloilo.

Garcia has since then charged for plunder for allegedly stealing over P300 million from the government's coffer while in service. He also entered into P130-million plea bargaining agreement with the Ombudsman.