25 Coast Guard officers suspended

MANILA, Philippines — Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales on Tuesday ordered the preventive suspension of 25 high-ranking officers of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) for irregularities in cash advances totaling P67.5 million.

The respondents are facing charges for grave misconduct, serious dishonest and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

The following PCG officers will be suspended for six months:

• Vice-Admiral Rodolfo Isorena
• Rear Admiral William Melad
• Rear Admiral Cecil Chen
• Commodore Enrico Efren Evangelista, Jr.
• Commodore Aaron Reconquista
• Commander John Esplana
• Commander William Arquero
• Commander Jude Thaddeus Besinga
• Commander Roben De Guzman
• Commander Angel Lobaton IV,
• Commander Ferdinand Panganiban
• Commander Joselito Quintas
• Commander Ivan Roldan
• Commander Rommel Supangan
• Commander George Ursabia, Jr.
• Commander Ferdinand Velasco
• Commander Wilfred Burgos
• Commander Allen Dalangin
• Captain Joeven Fabul
• Captain Angelito Gil
• Captain Ramon Lopez
• Captain Christopher Villacorte
• Lt. Junior Grade Mark Franklin Lim II
• Lt. Mark Larsen Mariano
• Accounting Head Rogelio Caguioa

The 25 officers allegedly used cash advances amounting to P67,533,289 to purchase office supplies and information technology equipment without complying with procurement regulations.

Liquidation documents showed the respondents' fraud and misrepresentation, according to a report from the Office of the Ombudsman. The Ombudsman also took note of the Commission on Audit's Audit Observation Memorandum last April 15, 2015. 

"(T)he respondents’ respective positions allow them to wield influence on possible witnesses and to access public records, [and] their continued stay in office may not only prejudice the cases against them but also allow them to commit further acts of malfeasance," Morales said.

Morales has directed Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade to implement the preventive suspension order. — Patricia Lourdes Viray