AFP officials in sensitive positions carefully vetted before appointment

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 25): AFP officials in sensitive positions carefully vetted before appointment

There are no ranking military officials collaborating with the enemy.

This was the assurance given by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Gen. Eduardo Año when asked on whether they are conducting surveillance on any of its ranking officials or members in wake of the scandal involving Senior Supt. Maria Cristina Nobleza who was arrested in the act of helping cornered Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits in Clarin town, Bohol last April 22.

Arrested with the lady police officer was her driver and alleged lover Reneirlou Dongon, a known ASG operative, who was earlier implicated in several bombing attacks but was freed due to a technicality.

They were nabbed while attempting to penetrate a police checkpoint in Clarin town.

"(In the AFP), all officials, before being given sensitive positions, are subjected to partial and full background checks (before they are given these positions)," Año added.

The AFP chief said that it is possible that some lapses may have occurred during Nobleza's promotion to the PNP Crime Laboratory.

An estimated three to four ASG brigands are still in the area. These are part of the 11-man team ASG sub-leader Muamar Askali alias "Abu Rami" who landed last April 10 in Inabanga town,Bohol to conduct kidnapping attacks against local and foreign tourists frequenting the area.

However, before they can fulfill their plans, they were intercepted by government forces, killing Askali and three others last April 11.

In the ensuing firefight, three soldiers and police officer were killed along with an elderly couple.

Pursuit operations, which culminated in Barangay Bacani, Clarin town last April 22, resulted in the death of ASG contact Joselito Milloria and three more bandits with no losses to the government side.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/982352