so there was no fund misuse ? or was this covered up ? or still on-going?

AFP drops cases vs 10 officers in CAFGU fund misuse

by Aries Rufo, abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak , May 15,2009


The military has dropped charges against 10 military officers who were earlier recommended for court martial for allegedly misusing funds meant to pay salaries of members of the Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU).

A document leaked to abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak by a Camp Aguinaldo insider shows that since two years ago, the Army has investigated at least 59 Army officers—the biggest investigation in recent years—on reports that several battalions had come up with a list of “ghost” CAFGUs in their units and pocketed the salaries meant for them.

One of those investigated was a colonel who eventually served as an aide of retired Armed Forces chief of staff Alexander Yano, according to the same document. This officer, along with 49 others, were cleared in the initial stages of the probe. They were eventually reassigned to other commands or staff positions.

The biggest number of those probed--15 officers--came from the 6th Infantry Division based in Central Mindanao. Of the 15 from this division, 10 were recommended for court martial trial in June last year, all junior officers.

Two of their seniors, both colonels, were merely reprimanded and the investigation against them was eventually “dropped and closed.” Their other senior officer, another colonel, was reassigned and the investigation against him was also “dropped and closed.”

But as of February this year, the court martial cases against the 10—two majors, four captains, and four lieutenants—had likewise been dropped.

The document, according to senior officer who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the case, was presented early this year to Yano, who was still chief of staff at the time, and Armed Forces chief Lt. Gen. Victor Ibrado, who was Army boss then.

Perennial problem

Misuse of CAFGU funds has perennially plagued the Army because these funds had been treated by some military officers as their discretionary fund.

In 2006, then Army chief Lt. Gen. Romeo Tolentino initiated a wide-ranging investigation into the CAFGU funds, and at least one colonel was from the Army’s 10th Infantry Division was implicated at the time.

The abuse was so wide-ranging that the investigation covered all the Army’s 10 divisions.

In "Misuse of CAFGU funds still unresolved", Newsbreak earlier reported that during Tolentino’s time, three had been recommended for court martial, while others were undergoing pre-trial investigation. It appears that the three were among those who were eventually cleared.

The Newsbreak report prompted three party-list groups to file a resolution seeking an investigation into the CAFGU funds. We checked the status of the resolution which was filed before the House committee on defense and security and we were told that it remains pending in the committee.

Final decision

Sought for comment, Army spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos said newly appointed Army chief Lt.Gen. Delfin Bangit was not familiar with the dismissal of the charges against the 10 officers.

Bangit assumed the post earlier this month, replacing Ibrado, who is now AFP chief of staff.

In any case, Burgos said that “if there was a final decision, we cannot question that.”

Ghost CAFGUs

Estimates showed that P177.5 million annually is misused through the “ghost CAFGUs.” The Army’s initial investigation into this indicated that there were about 8,000 “ghost” CAFGUs nationwide.

Under this scheme, non-existent CAFGU members are reflected in the division payroll. The monthly subsistence allowance of these “ghost CAFGUs” (roughly P1,800) are diverted for other purposes.

Created in 1989, the CAFGU is composed of mostly of reservists, officers, and enlisted men on inactive status. Its budget is under the Department of National Defense.

Without commenting on ongoing cases, Burgos said Bangit “will see to it that cases of mishandling of funds will be properly investigated.”

Bangit, he said, “will not tolerate any infractions in the administration and management of the CAFGU.”

Burgos noted that reforms have been instituted in the use of CAFGU funds, in particular, the establishment of a personnel information system for CAFGU members.

He said Bangit will call for a command conference in June to further improve CAFGU administration and management.

Dismissed probably because their "mistah" is the higher office advised or influenced those running the AFP grievance mechanicism to simply marked the case as lacking evidence.

See now?

This is the main reason why i am suggesting that all cases involving misuse of public funds must be elevated automatically to the DND or the President's anti-corruption office.

Else, the cases will be subjected to a series or whitewashes until the case and the evidences are too vague or unconsiderable to to pursue.

See this;

This is what's keeping the corruption go on.

The culprits are simply reprimanded and reassigned.

NO PUNISHMENT AT ALL.

HOW CAN YOU EXPECT THE AFP TO IMPROVE?

Any evidence of manipulations? If all cases of fund misuse is to be handled by the office of the SND, then what would become of the chain of command? It would be passed over until such time that commanders are lame duck.

It is hard, but IMHO, the best way to combat abuses within the AFP is an honest to goodness moral recovery program, perhaps a CS that has the moral courage to implement existing laws regardless of who would get hurt. It is a fundamental change from within, kasi whatever organizational change that is going to be implemented would not be effective if there's no change from within.

I know some officers already recognized this, let's just hope that they can sustain it and continue to improve the AFP.

Flipzi ginamit mo na naman ang word na Mistah, Hindi mo nga alam kung anong ibig sabihin nun.

It still settles to one definition.

It's "brotherhood up to the point of covering up each other's crime".

That's the reason I used it.

Remember even Sen. Lacson brought up that systen when his mistah, Gen Garcia was being investigated?

Look at this bulshit;

Anak ng p.... naman...

REPRIMANDED lang AT REASSIGNED PA?

Dapat sinisipa na yan sa AFP at kinukulong?

Bakit ayaw nilang gawin?

Darating ang araw, .... magbabago sistema.

Bitay na ang lahat ng mapapatunayan ng magnanakaw sa AFP.

REPRIMAND AND REASSIGNED?

Punyeta! Stupid system!

That's one of the great reasons why corruption continues.

Thieves in uniform simply walk away.

This is another; They AFP (or some branch) insists that all allegations should be channelled to the grievance mechanism.

Sinu naman kayang tangang high-ranking official ang tutulong na makulong ang ka-mistah niya?

There maybe some who puts the country first before brotherhood and friendship but that is greatly outnumbered by those who think otherwise.

My point is you are using the word Mistah when you don't know the real meaning of it...it's not a brotherhood and no it does not cover one's wrongdoing....putang ina talaga bakit hindi mo sabihin ang nasa utak mo ng hindi ginagamit and salitang Mistah...parang pinalalabas mo na lahat ng taong nagtatawagang Mistah ay corrupt...ang kitid ng utak mo...wala namang sinabi kung saan nag graduate ang 10 opisyal...may pamura mura ka pa!!!

So what's wrong with using the reasoning that that mistah system is one of the reasons why corruption thrives in the military?

Hindo ko sinasabi na lahat ng Mistah ang corrupt. That should be clear.

Makitid ka umunawa, brod. :headbang:

Sinasabi ko na yung system ay isa sa nagiging dahilan ng cover-ups sa military. Yun ang punto ko.

Huwag ka kasing magbalat sibuyas. BASAHIN MO NG MALALIM ANG SIBASABI KO.

Pero kung hindi ka marunong magbasa ay sabihin mo lang para may leeway ako sa pagunawa sa iyo.

Oh ito basahin mo ito baka sakaling LUMAWAK ang bukas ng isip mo.

(from BALIKATAN FUND MESS)

You don't get it do you...I am not trying to defend the freaking corruption that is going on...I reacted to your posting where you used the word Mistah. Why can't you freaking post your idea without using the word. I am very disgusted about the rampant corruption and I can see where the civilians are coming from. But you were out of line in your posting. The term does not connote cover up or brotherhood.

About that LT who exposed this irregularities...2 years passed and she tolerated the wrongdoing, she is equally guilty if the expose is true. She was able to sleep for 2 years!!! WOW! She lost hope to the organization but she was able to stay for 2 years....If Cedo is guilty and the corruption is true then by all means hang him and don't let the others who tolerated walk away.


BTW...you are the one who needs to open your mind and what the f--k is a Mistah System?

Wrong there.

How can you expect a lower rank to simply bring out into the open anything that he or she sees wrong in what her or his boss does?

Consider the reality. Career, family, your own life.

You dont simply talk that easy.

What made her talk now is that the nightmare of seeing her own kids getting threatened has now materialized.

That's what i am trying to emphasize.

But the problem is, there is this practice of covering each other's asses especially when the involved officers and the investigating body are from the same batch or somewhat. Or the higher ups that are supposed to implement justice are from the same batch as those being accused.

Or there's a cold treatment on such case unless the media makes it a hot issue.

That's what I am trying to point out.

We should change that.

From now on it should be COUNTRY FIRST BEFORE ANYTHING.

As for the mistah line that i used in my reasoning, maybe you simply got me wrong.

In any case, it is not the mistah system itself that i am attacking. It is just that this is one of the reasons why the whitewash and cold treatment of corruption case thrives in the military.

In fairness to the rest, it is not my intention to paint the mistah system as evil. I said this is one of the reasons why the officers are having a hard time correcting the flaws in the military.

Okay. Since, you seem to know much about that, tell us. Maybe, this can help us analyze how much this mistah is affecting the system in the military.

Also, with this we can protect the mistah system from being dragged into such issues.

And if the allegations are true, then there goes the big fish again, swimming away free due to technicalities. :headbang:

The meaning of Mistah is only known by a few people...if you do not know the meaning of it then don't use it...those who know it don't even use it in this forum...parang kang mga journalist na kung ano anong term ang ginagamit sa mga news item nila tapos sablay sably naman ang ibig sabihin.

That's what we are trying to defeat here.

NORMAL PRACTICE NA ANG TAKIPAN AND THEN ANG STYLE PA AY PAHAHABAIN ANG INVESTIGATION ............ UNTIL IT DIES DOWN.

See?

Nanakaw na yung pera pero hero pa rin si gagong opisyal at marami beses na nangyari na napropromote pa.

tsk tsk tsk.

This is one of the reasons that instead of discouraging the whistleblowers like Gadian, we should give the likes of her the benefit of the doubt.

Anyway, if Gen Cedo is clean, he will come out clean in the investigation.

The STRATEGY is, if we support the one who has the power (Gen Cedo and gang) and attack those who dont have it (the low rank SG Lt. Gadian, a woman, and from ROTC pool (meaning ay walang kapit sa malalakas na ayer sa top posts),

... how can the case move in favor of the nation?

If Gen Cedo is innocent, im sure, with his influence and power, the exoneraton will be guaranteed.

But what if Gadian is telling the truth?

How can she survive the ordeal when we are simply believing Gen. Cedo as the honest man and Gadian as the real evil?

How can a weak and low-rank survive the battle against those in power in this scenario?

Let me say it again, it is in our nation's benefit to support Lt. Gadian and let Gen Cedo disprove the allegation.

This tells us that there is no clear definition of the mistah word.

But on how it is being given meaning by the soldiers, it's about "strong comradeship" or brotherhood.

If that's the case, we can all be sure that the mistah system will keep its role in whole military system.

Watching each other's back,...... in good or evil.

Sa akin okay lang naman ang brotherhood or mistah pero dapat may limit pa rin.

ALWAYS UPHOLD JUSTICE and FIGHT FOR WHAT IS RIGHT.

Ako isa lang ka-mistah ko. Someone who wont commit evil and wont even let me support the evil he makes.

The one and only. God Almighty. :armywink:

This case will not be a cover up takipan scene. This will be a trial that will be aiming at credibility and technicalities. You know how the Justice system works...even those who are guilty go free if they have better lawyers...Dura Lex Sed Lex.


See, you really don't get it...you don't call God Mistah. :headbang:

Okay. You said i got it wrong.

Now, please enlighten me.

Stop banging your head, baka maubos yan. Joke. :armyLol:

How can we even move forward, e it seems that the outcome is already judged ng hindi pa nga naprepresent ang mga evidence? Imagine being the son of Gen. Cedo, does it mean na pag ang accusser who is way below in rank and a not an Academy graduate, does it mean totoo na lahat ng sinasabi nya at face value? We just hang Cedo kasi underdog yung accuser nya?

C'mon, where's justice there? Yun lang naman e, let both parties present their evidences then let those knowledgable test and judge it it can stand by itself.

Pero for me, it's unfair to conclude anything at this point in time.

And I think in this issue, it doesn't matter if one is a PMA graduate or not, what matters here is are you telling the truth? Can your "truth" stand the test?

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?artic...ubCategoryId=63

'Reforms underway to rid AFP of ghost CAFGUs'
By Jaime Laude Updated May 17, 2009 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines - Reforms are now underway to address the nagging problem of “ghost” militiamen in the payrolls of the Citizens Armed Forces of Geographical Unit (CAFGU), the military declared yesterday.

Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr. said the AFP will continue efforts to deal with the CAFGU fund mess that has already cost the government hundreds of millions that went into the pockets of corrupt military officials.

Fears of a whitewash were raised by some quarters within the military yesterday following reports that the charges filed against 10 officers implicated in the multi-million CAFGU fund mess have been dropped.

“We are continuously addressing this problem as we welcome any official investigation concerning this particular issue,” Brawner said, adding that AFP chief Gen. Victor Ibrado has already ordered Army chief Lt. Gen. Delfin Bangit to implement stringent measures to address the problem of ghost militiamen.

A report by Newsbreak revealed three party-list representatives urged a congressional investigation into the CAFGU fund mess.

Records showed the AFP have employed more than 120,000 militiamen in the CAFGU with a monthly allowance of P2,500.

The militiamen are distributed in all of the 10 Army divisions nationwide, but majority of them are now deployed in Mindanao.

Brawner said one of the safety nets now being implemented by the Army to prevent ghost CAFGUs is the creation of the national database containing pertinent records of all active militiamen in the field.

The master list is being validated through a monthly field headcount conducted by higher headquarters, according to Brawner.

As for the reported dropping of the charges against the 10 officers implicated in the fund mess, Brawner said there are still others who are under trial.

He said the 10 officers were among the more than 50 who were ordered investigated for the CAFGU fund anomalies following reports that a number of Army field units have their own ghost CAFGUs.

An Army officer revealed his case was dropped and closed after he submitted proof that he was merely used as a conduit by his superiors for the CAFGU funds.

The officer, who requested anonymity for security reasons, said he would likely be charged again if he should come out in the open.

He revealed the practice of senior commanders to wait for the “RTS” of CAFGU funds released to lower units.

RTS, the officer explained, means “Return To Sender.”

Newsbreak reported that one among those investigated was a colonel who held a key post in the AFP during the term of retired AFP chief Gen. Alexander Yano.

The report added the officer, along with 49 others, were cleared in the initial stages of the probe and were eventually reassigned to other commands or staff positions.

The biggest number of those probed –15 officers – came from the Army’s 6th Infantry Division based in Central Mindanao.

Of the 15 from the division, 10 – all junior officers – were recommended for court martial trial in June last year,according to Newsbreak, citing military documents.

The report added that two seniors, both colonels, were merely reprimanded and the investigation against them was eventually “dropped and closed.”

The matter here is not about being a PMA or a general.

The thing here is WHO WILL PROBABLY HAVE THE POWER AND CAPABILITY TO MANIPULATE THE SYSTEM.

Look here.

Si Cedo from PMA yan at general. Yung AFP Chief and Army Chief are from PMA. Bihirang bihira kasi di PMA pag mga top post kasi mabilis promotion ng PMA kesa a ROTC pool.

We are not saying we dont need the PMA or generals here. Di yan pinaglalaban natin. Our goal is to stomp out corruption in the AFP.

At wala sa pagiging PMA yan. Dont forget that the Magdalo has many PMA in it. As well as Gen. Lim and Querubin. Si Capt Guinolbay ay biktima din ng kagagaguhan ng mga top rank at kung bakit nakatay mga tao niya sa Lamitan.

So, PLEASE DONT GET ME WRONG.

But the point is, YUNG CAPACITY TO MANIPULATE THE SYSTEM. That's my point.

Gen. Cedo with his influence and power will surely get his exonoeration when he is really innocent.

But for a low rank Gadian, what can you expect? Does she have the support of the top brass? Where do you think their sympathy is inclined to? Gadian or Gen. Cedo?

Now, that's what ive been emphasizing. We have to give Gadian the more of our support because she is facing not just a single Goliath but a fraternity of them. Can you imagine that?

Gen. Cedo will come out clean if he is indeed clean because of his influence.

BUT WHAT IF SG LT. GADIAN IS TELLING THE TRUTH?

By all means ilabas ang evidences and tingnan natin if it can hold water. It's premature and very unfair to hang people at this point in time. Talk is cheap in this country.

Sometimes kasi ang hirap sa tin we believe everything what is written in the papers and what they say on TV without cross-checking the facts. What if kung sina Ka Roger and Joma Sison ang mag-accuse that that Gen. so and so is raking in millions due to illegal logging, should we hang Gen. so and so in a pole?

I'm for the prosecution of the guilty and at the same time, let due process take its course.

If the accusation came from an anonymous person, then we would readily suspect that it could be the handywork of the commies.

Pero with SG Lt Gadian, plus the statement from Trillanes and the history of corruption in the AFP, we would know if it's fake.

Again, kung innocent si Gen. Cedo, with his influence in the AFP top brass, he will come out clean.

But if will kill Gadian's effort at this very stage ay talo ang public kung tutuo nga sinasabi niya.

Fair dapat tayo.

Kaya lang naman natin sinusuportahan si Gadian kasi she is up against Goliaths in the military. We dont want Cedo's influence to cover the issue with whitewash and lies.

Para bang if we support Gadian, we are giving her an equal leverage as Cedo.

NOW THAT WILL BEST SERVE THE COUNTRY'S INTEREST.

Eh, you're contradicting your thoughts e, paano tayo magiging fair if we're already assuming that Cedo would use his influence.

Kaya nga pakita muna lahat ng ebidensya!

No, dude.

I am just trying to give the other party the needed capacity to pursue the case.

We all know how corruption works in the military.

It's not healthy for our nation to simply ignore the allegation of LTSG. Gadian considering the status and history of our military.

Our goal here is to defeat the evil that is destroying the AFP.