Arevalo: AFP to intensify crackdown on erring soldiers

(File photo) By Rita Salonga

with Florante Rosales via RH News

MANILA - The Armed Forces of the Philippines leadership vows to intensify its crackdown on erring soldiers who continue to steal and sell firearms and bullets to enemies of the state, including the Abu Sayyaf Group and the New People’s Army.

AFP Public Affairs Office Chief Col. Edgard Arevalo made the assurance after authorities were able to arrest two soldiers and four suspects involved in alleged arms and ammunitions pilferage.
Col. Arevalo said that there is a possibility that some erring soldiers are involved in such crimes, but not all of these soldiers are from the AFP.

In fact, Arevalo said that two of these suspects came from the enlisted personnel of the Philippine Army and are now being investigated and are set for court martial proceedings after violating Article of War 85.

The two soldiers are T/Sgt. Santiago Caasi, who was arrested in Zamboanga del Sur and Sgt. Jeffrey Ordonio, a non-commissioned officer who was arrested in Mawab, Compostela Valley.

“There is a possibility, we do not necessary accept na lahat ng yan ay exactly nanggagaling sa AFP.  There is a possibility that there are some misfits.  Mayroon kaming mga reports na mayroong mga sundalo na involve sa ganyang illegal activity.”

Arevalo insisted that they are not belittling the saidillegal activity, and that they are thoroughly investigating the source of the two soldiers.

“we are not going to take this lightly, the armed forces is very keen, very seriously looking into this sapagkat hindi ito maliit na offense, ito ay isang malaking offense sa hindi lamang sa umiiral na batas, hindi lamang sa ilalim ng articles of war, kundi maging isang malaking kasalanan sa ating mga kasamahan sa armed forces of the phils na ang mga armas at ammunition ay posibleng naiibenta sa mga civilian at posibleng even sa ating mga kaaway.”