AFP mum on results of P400-M fuel use probe

The military has completed its investigation on the reported P400-million irregularity in the management and disbursement of petroleum and oil lubricants (POL), but is keeping the results under wraps for the meantime. At a press briefing on Wednesday, Armed Forces spokesman Commodore Miguel Jose Rodriguez said they cannot reveal the results of the investigation yet pending action by AFP chief Gen. Eduardo Oban on the recommendation. "I understand that it’s already finished but they have to submit it to General Oban and when General Oban approves the report ... this (report) will be available to you in two days time," said Rodriguez. Implicated in the alleged irregularity was AFP deputy chief of staff for logistics Commodore Teddy Pan, who was relieved from post pending the investigation. The investigation by the offices of the AFP inspector general, judge advocate general and internal auditor was conducted after the military establishment recorded a distribution and consumption of P400 million worth of POL from January to March 15 this year, way above its authorized P150 million for one quarter. The incident gave rise to suspicions that the military has resorted to the illegal conversion scheme to generate funds as “pabaon" or going-away gift for Oban’s predecessor, Gen. Ricardo David, who retired last March 7. The practice of giving cash gifts to retiring chiefs of staff was bared by former AFP budget officer Lt. Col. George Rabusa at a Senate hearing earlier this year. A Pulse Asia survey released last March showed that almost half of Filipinos think that the AFP is the "most corrupt" government agency at present due to various anomalies linked to some of its past officials. — KBK, GMA News