MSU professor dared to prove military getting part of US reward offer

MANILA, Philippines – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) yesterday challenged Mindanao State University professor Octavio Dinampo to prove his allegations that some ranking military officers take part of the reward offered by the US government for the capture of terrorist leaders.

AFP spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner stressed Dinampo’s allegations could have serious implications on the country’s bilateral relations with the US.

“Our call to Prof. Dinampo is to substantiate his allegations with evidence, with proof because this has implications on our relations with the US government because they are the ones giving the reward money,” he said.

Brawner explained that as a matter of policy, operating troops and their commanders are not entitled to any monetary reward for the capture or neutralization of terrorist leaders.

“It is our responsibility to ensure that the reward money goes to the civilian informant,” he said.

“This is against our policy and soldiers are not and should not be a recipient of this.”

Brawner said Dinampo’s allegations might not even merit the conduct of an investigation by the AFP, unless the professor comes out and identifies the officers supposedly involved.

“If (Dinampo) wants us to investigate further, he should give names, specify what exactly happened, the chronology of events backed by evidence,” he said.

The US government has offered millions of dollars as reward for information leading to the arrest of known terrorist leaders.

Meanwhile, another military spokesman said Eugenio Vagni, the last remaining International Committee of the Red Cross aid worker being held captive by the Abu Sayyaf, is still alive.

Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo, designated spokesman on the kidnapping crisis, said the latest information on Vagni revealed the Italian was able to talk to his wife on the phone.

Arevalo, however, said there are reports that his abductors closely guard Vagni.

Vagni is suffering from hernia and could hardly walk.

The Italian has been in captivity for almost five months after his colleagues Swiss Andreas Notter and Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba walked to freedom last April.

The three were seized by Abu Sayyaf gunmen in Patikul town last Jan. 15.

Last April, Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan gave the green light for a military rescue operation for the release of Vagni.