AFP probes official over ‘anomalous’ oil distribution

A military official is currently the subject of an internal investigation in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for the supposed irregularity in the distribution of oil, petroleum and lubricant worth about P400 million. The investigation against AFP deputy chief of staff for logistics Commodore Teddy Pan is being spearheaded by the office of the AFP Inspector General, according to AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta. Pan, a member of the Philippine Military Academy class of 1977, is due for retirement on July 17. He is a classmate of former AFP chief Ricardo David, who is now commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration. At a press briefing in Camp Aguinaldo on Monday, Mabanta said the investigation was ordered by AFP chief Gen. Eduardo Oban shortly after assuming the top military post last March 7. He said the probe was ordered by Oban after being informed by David of the potential anomaly before the turnover ceremony. “He (David) was not knowledgeable until the later part [of his tenure] and he was the one who initiated the conduct of the investigation," said Mabanta. Previous reports indicated that Pan’s office recorded a distribution and consumption of P400 million in petroleum, oil and lubricants for military units from January to March 15, way above the authorized P150 million for one quarter. The incident has given rise to suspicions that the military has resorted to the illegal “conversion" scheme to generate “pabaon" or send-off financial gift for David. The “pabaon" system was bared at a Senate hearing early this year by Lt. Col. George Rabusa, a former AFP budget officer. He said its usual beneficiaries were outgoing AFP chiefs. David has denied receiving “pabaon" or “pasalubong" (welcome cash gift) during his stint as AFP chief. Mabanta said the initial results of the investigation indicated that there was no malpractice involved. He, however, noted that the probe is still ongoing. “There is now an ongoing investigation. Initial investigation apparently states that there seems to be no discrepancy, there seems to be no malpractices. However, it is still too early and we will be informing you of the developments as we move on," he said. He also said there is no need to relieve Pan, 55, yet pending the investigation. “If his continued stay in that position may hamper, may result in us not being able to get of the data, then he will have to be relieved. At this point, he is not relieved." — KBK, GMA News