MANILA, Philippines - Three more military officers linked to the allegedly irregular purchase of P80 million worth of medical supplies have been relieved from their posts.
Armed Forces public affairs chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said relieved as of 8 a.m. yesterday were Armed Forces of the Philippines Medical Center (AFPMC) special disbursing officer Lt. Col. Florencio Capulong, management and fiscal office chief Maj. Neil Bugarin and logistics assistant chief Col. Rogelio del Rio.
“They are the principal staff who processed money matters, logistics and supplies,” he said.
Their relief came a day after Armed Forces chief Gen. Gregorio Catapang Jr. removed Brig. Gen. Normando Sta. Ana as AFPMC commander.
Cabunoc said Capulong, Del Rio and Bugarin are still required to report for duty, although they have been placed on floating status.
Sta. Ana, Capulong, Bugarin and Del Rio were accused of favoring suppliers and buying multimillion pesos worth of medical supplies without bidding.
Catapang ordered an investigation on the procurement after a certain Renato Villafuerte filed a complaint against the four military officers before the Office of the Ombudsman.
The military officers were also accused of seeking the realignment of P40 million to support cash advances and using the money to settle accumulated debt by buying supplies without funds.
The military said the investigation on the AFPMC’s procurement practices would be transparent and fair.