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Thursday, January 05, 2006
Whistle-blower confined at Air Force base
MANILA -- An Air Force colonel who revealed an alleged "anomaly" in the military is being restricted to headquarters at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City pending an investigation on his claim.
Air Force Colonel Efren Daquil, a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1976, showed up at the Philippine Air Force (PAF) Headquarters Wednesday morning to ask Air Force Chief Jose Reyes how he disposed of P30 million from the personnel savings fund in 2004.
He said it is the obligation of the Air Force chief to tell the people what happened to the money.
Daquil aired his complaints earlier in public, prompting the military to threaten him with charges and a possible court martial for allegedly violating the chain of command.
The colonel showed up at Air Force headquarters Wednesday, even if no case was filed against him yet, to explain himself and so that the military would not order his arrest.
Daquil maintained in his allegations that the Air Force chief and some 30 wing commanders receive P45,000 monthly allowance each while the deputy wing commanders receive P8,500. He also criticized the alleged "irregularity" in the promotion and assignment of officers in the Air Force.
He clarified he did not accuse Reyes or any PAF officials of corruption but just wanted them to explain to the people how the money was spent. He said if Air Force officials fail to do so, he would bring the case before the Office of the Ombudsman.
Reyes did not face Daquil, but Lieutenant Colonel Restituto Padilla, Air Force spokesman, denied that the money was misused. He said the PAF utilized the funds for the procurement of combat shoes, short pants, and t-shirts that would be used by soldiers.
He said the P30 million is all accounted for and they have documents to show the money was spent wisely.
On the monthly allowance, Padilla said wing commanders get as much as P45,000 and deputy wing commanders receive P8,500 but the money is for the maintenance and operating expenses of their offices.
"There is nothing irregular about that. Commanders go places and meet people. The money is also used to purchase office supplies," he said.
The PAF spokesman dismissed Daquil's tirades as "sour graping," after the officer failed to get promoted from deputy wing commander to wing commander. He said Daquil wanted to be appointed as commander of the Second Tactical Operations Wing in Mactan, Cebu but the PAF leadership did not act on it.
He said Daquil would stay in the PAF Office while appropriate charges are being readied against him for questioning the PAF savings. He said the PAF colonel had violated Articles of War 96 (conduct unbecoming of an officer or a gentleman) and 97 (conduct prejudicial to court order and military discipline).
Last Tuesday, Daquil made public a number of irregularities in the Air Force. He said he expects the military to get back at him, specifically place him under house arrest, for making public his complaints but he is ready to face the consequences of his act.
Prior to his revelation, the Air Force colonel was relieved last December 10 as deputy commander of the 710th Special Operations Wing in Clark, Pampanga after he was suspected of being involved in alleged plans to destabilize President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's government.
Daquil said he approached Reyes about his relief but the PAF chief provided no official reason. He said Reyes only told him that the relief was for "his own good."
He admitted he was approached at least four times, the last one in September last year, to join in destabilization moves, but ignored them. He refused to identify those behind the moves and those who tried to recruit him. (JFF/Sunnex)
(January 5, 2006 issue)
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