Ex-AFP Spokesperson: "There was corruption" Pabaon system started in Erap's time until Arroyo's

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines - "There was corruption in the military, but it's over now," Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr., former spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, admitted to The FREEMAN the other day.

Brawner, now commander of the 2nd Special Forces of the 802nd Infantry Brigade based in Bohol, said that, to some extent, some funds allocated for the procurement of ammunition were not spent as intended.

Not all that had been said at the Senate hearing, however, were all true, Brawner clarified as he explained that during his stint as AFP spokesperson, it was no longer practiced because reforms were already instituted at the time.

The pabaon system, based on the statements of former AFP budget officer George Rabusa, happened during the time of former president Joseph Estrada and had extended to the time of then president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Brawner said.

"It was done only by a very small group-a closely knit group at the office of the comptroller," he said adding that "it is sad that the image of AFP is being affected. If you look at the majority of the AFP, our soldiers are dedicated."

Brawner said that "Reforms been done in the AFP to correct this malpractice: No. 1, the office of the comptroller-the former office of retired Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia was abolished by General Efren Abu."

In its stead, four offices were created, he said. "These are the resource management office-the one that does the budgeting; the management fiscal office-which releases the fund; the accounting office-which accounts for the movement of the fund; and the internal auditor-which audits all transactions. In other words, we now have check and balance," Brawner explained.

"We, the foot soldiers feel the benefits given to us in the forms of uniforms, equipment, and salary increase. We are not really affected because we know nakaraan na yon. That was the previous system and there have been reforms already. But we also welcome more reforms na makakapagbuti pa ng aming serbisyo," he said.

It cannot be denied that "the image of the Philippine Military Academy was affected by all of these, because the people who indulged in this kind of practice are PMAers. But if you look at the whole picture, there are also several others-a majority of the PMAers-who still abide by the principles and by the values of courage, integrity and loyalty which the PMA taught," said Brawner.

Brawner added that, after the suicide of former AFP chief of staff and Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes, soldiers in Bohol assured the public of professionalism that will keep them focused on the mission to cleanse the province from insurgency.

"We will remain professional and we will be focused on our mission even if maraming nangyayari sa Manila about the alleged corruption in the system," Brawner assured.

After Reyes was laid to rest, Brawner hoped it was "the last kind of incident," saying it was as tragic for the family and friends of Reyes as it was for the whole AFP and the nation. "Definitely this has reached the international public," he said.

These issues will however not affect the support from the United Nations, "because it's already written in specific provisions that whenever we send out peacekeepers, the equipment that they use has an equivalent amount that the UN rents from the AFP," said Brawner.

While the 2nd Special Forces support the investigation on the alleged corruption in the AFP, we were disappointed at how the Senate handled it. He agreed with Senator Gregorio Honasan II that it should have been done in a closed-door hearing to prevent trial by publicity.

"If they want it in aid of legislation, then they better do it quietly and maybe not in front of television (cameras), because pinapahiya nila yong mga ini-invite. This is not good because even if the person is still innocent parang sa eyes of the public he is already guilty," Brawner said.

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV might have his reasons for doing it, but it has to be properly done and not take it on a personal level, Brawner added.