Soldier returns checks worth P350K

MANILA, Philippines - Amid recent reports about the alleged misconduct of military officers and cadets, an Army soldier is drawing praise for returning two checks worth P350,000 he found along McKinley Hill in Taguig City.

Sgt. Raffy Braga was driving along McKinley Hill near Emperador Stadium last Wednesday and was about to return to the Army headquarters when he found two Landbank checks.

The checks, one worth P182,702.73 and the other worth P165, 506.06, were attached to a paper that flew across his vehicle. Both are payable to the order of Manila Water Company.

Braga’s superior coordinated with Landbank to identify the owner of the checks.

“It was Landbank who informed the owner that the lost check was found by a soldier of the Philippine Army,” Army spokesman Lt. Col. Noel Detoyato said.

The owner agreed to claim the checks at the Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Civil Military Operations, where Braga is assigned.

Kiko Loresco of the Manila Water recovered the check and thanked Braga for his honesty.

News about Braga’s act came as a breath of fresh air for the military, which has been grappling with controversies involving its officers and cadets.

The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) recently landed on the headlines after cadet Aldrin Cudia, was dismissed for allegedly violating the honor code.

Cudia, however, claims that the honor committee had erred in dismissing him and filed a complaint against its nine members. 

A member of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) is also in hot water for allegedly using cloned automated teller machine (ATM) cards.

LtJG. Raphael Marcial, a member of PMA class 2008, was arrested by a police team last week while withdrawing money from a bank in Makati. The military is now investigating to determine if he should face the military tribunal.

Braga, 38, is from Valencia, Bukidnon and has been serving the Army for 17 years now. He is married and has two sons.

“The Philippine Army commends Sgt Braga for exhibiting honesty, and for exemplifying integrity and professionalism,” Detoyato said.