AFP probing military officer linked to arrested US senator

From the Sun Star (Mar 28): AFP probing military officer linked to arrested US senator

MALACANANG on Friday said that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is already looking into allegations that a military official had dealings with United States Senator Leland Yee who has been arrested for firearms trafficking and corruption charges.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said that the government has been trying to get more information regarding the supposed involved military officer.

"There is no need for the directive," she said, citing that she already talked with Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala, AFP chief public information officer, and she was told that the military is already looking into that particular report.

"We have also been trying to get a name or at least more information about the alleged involvement of a supposed military officer," she said.

Valte said there is still no significant information produced by the ongoing investigation but she said the Palace trusts that the AFP will get to the bottom of it.

If true, Valte said it is alarming that a military official is involved in such a highly organized crime.

Lee allegedly visited the Philippines for the scheme.

Valte said the Department of Justice would also look into this considering that the Bureau of Immigration is under the DOJ.

US federal prosecutors unsealed an indictment Wednesday against Yee, accusing him of conspiring to commit wire fraud and traffic firearms.

Twenty six people, including a former school board president were indicted on charges related to an extensive crime ring headed by well-known Chinatown figure in the US.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/breaking-news/2014/03/28/afp-probing-military-officer-linked-arrested-us-senator-335425