AFP looking into ammunition, weapons pilferage report

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 27): AFP looking into ammunition, weapons pilferage report

 While admitting that some misfits might be behind the syndicate behind the pilferage of arms and weapons in military stores, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced it is now investigating the matter and will crack down hard on the perpetrators.

"There are possibility that there are some misfits. We have reports claiming that some soldiers are involved in that illegal activity," AFP public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo said.

He made this statement after the Philippine National Police (PNP) arrested over the weekend gunrunner Unding Kenneth Isa, allegedly one of the weapons suppliers of the Abu Sayyaf, and warlords operating at the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao.

Seized from the suspect and his three companions were five M-4 carbines with M-203 grenade launchers, M-14 automatic rifles, an AR-15 rifle and a .45 caliber pistol with two magazines and thousands of assorted ammunition rounds.

PNP Director General Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa earlier said that it is possible that these weapons and ammunitions could have come from the government stocks as some of the boxes were stamped with "Government Arsenal" markings.

Arevalo said they are now investigating this matter as Government Arsenal director Jonathan Martir disclosed it is very likely these arms and weapons could have come from the AFP.

Once they identify the culpits, appropriate charges will be filed against the suspects and stiff sanctions meted once they are convicted by a military court.

"We are coordinating with our counterpart in the PNP to ferret out the truth and other information (relevant to the case) as this is a major offense," he added.

Arevalo also cited the case of Technical Sgt. Santiago Caasi and Sgt. Jeffrey Ordoño who were both arrested for illegally selling arms and ammunition last week.

Caasi is member of the Mechanized Infantry Division's 1st Cavalry Squadron based in Labangan, Zamboanga Del Sur while Ordoño is assigned to the Compostela Valley-based 10th Infantry Division.

Both men are now undergoing General Court Martial proceedings after being charged with Articles of War 85 also known as “waste and unlawful disposition of military property”.

If convicted, both troopers will be discharged dishonorably, stripped of all benefits, and jailed at a military detention facility.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=926540