Philippine Army Chief Hernando Irriberi.
The Philippine Army is mum over corruption allegations hurled against its commanding general, even as more suppliers, according to sources, are reportedly set to be filing more charges against Lt. Gen. Hernando DCA Irriberi.
The other charges set to be filed are said to be administrative and criminal in form, in connection with other "big-ticket items" allegedly laced with irregularities involving billions of pesos in public funds.
Despite repeated telephone calls and text messages to get his side, Irriberi, through his spokesman, Lt. Col. Noel Detoyato, the efforts of journalists have remained unanswered as Detoyato continues to ignore them.
Interaksyon.com has secured a copy of a nine-page complaint filed on May 5, 2014, by Roperlynn Comahig, a representative of JoaviPhilippines Corporation (JPC), against Irriberi for allegedly delaying the delivery of at least three contracts for the supply of ammunition for the Army with a total amount of P97.8 million.
JPC, reportedly led by businesswoman Jocelyn Magcale as President/Chief Executive Officer, has partnered with foreign firms Talon Security Consulting & Trade Ltd. (TSCTL) and Kompanija Sloboda, A.D. (KSAD) for these procurements.
The firm is based at Forbeswood Heights, Tower 2, Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City.
While Irriberi is silent on the issue, multiple sources within the Department of National Defense indicated that he could face more charges over much bigger projects that had existing and/or pending contracts with other firms linked to Magcale, such as the Stone of David Tactical Equipment Co.
Accordingly, Magcale's father hails from Israel, with the surname Utzurrum.
"She's reportedly planning to file next week administrative and criminal charges against some Army officials, including Irriberi, and defense officials for unwarranted delays for her firms' contracts. Let's see if this will happen," said a source from the Department of National Defense (DND) who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Still, Magcale could not be reached for comment.
Allegedly, Magcale and her foreign partners are eyeing up to P5 billion worth of contracts for the Army's plan to procure "shore-based missile" and the missile system for the Navy's Multi-Purpose Attack Craft (MPAC).
In 2013, Stone of David is said to have joined the DND's bidding for the Navy's two multi-purpose transport vessels worth P2 billion each. But Magcale, being the President and CEO of the firm, later decided to withdraw from the bidding due to technical and procedural problems allegedly imposed by the DND-Bids and Awards Committee.
"I know for a fact that the she [Magcale] has many friends and contacts, both active and retired generals, at the DND and AFP. She's very influential. That's why she obtained lots of projects. I've heard also that many generals have investments in the firms she represents, either as stockholders or incorporators," the source said further.
A second source said that Magcale's filing of the case before the Office of the Ombudsman against Irriberi "has the blessings" of some generals.
Stone of David was also linked to the controversial purchase of 3,840 armor vests worth P120 million in 2013 that Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin rejected in January 2014 because they were found defective after several series of tests.
Stone of David reportedly partnered with a Serbia-based company, UM-Merkata, for the supply of armor vests supposed to be delivered and used by government forces fighting more than 500 rogue members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) during the September 2013 siege in Zamboanga City.
The suppliers, however, failed to deliver the vests, compelling the Armed Forces of the Philippines to undertake an emergency purchase of about 1,000 armor vests for the troops through the Philippine International Trading Corporation of the Department of Trade and Industry.
Another source indicated that there is information the defective armor vests delivered by Stone of David and UM-Merkata are rotting inside a warehouse at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.
"I think the case has been elevated for arbitration. I'm not really sure what that could mean, but this could lead to some form of settlement or other," the source said.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/110642/army-chief-keeps-mum-on-alleged-corruption-issue-supplier-eyes-filing-of-more-charges
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