Military “reforms” instituted,

Says then army spokesman

A FORMER Army spokesperson admitted corruption to some extent in the military but quickly added that it was by a closely-knit group in the Comptroller’s Office.

Army Lieutenant Colonel Romeo Brawner, who is currently commanding the 2^nd Special forces Batallion in Bohol told radio anchors of Inyong Alagad in Bohol February 9, 2011, that the investigated corruption happened a long time ago and the army has instituted reforms to correct that.

He said after the General Carlos Garcia investigations, the army has abolished the powerful Comptroller’s office to give in to a system of offices where a check and balance in military resource and fiscal management is inset.

Gen. Garcia, who used to head the Office of the Comptroller of the Armed Forces of the Philippines  was charged with plunder at the office of the Ombudsman for allegations of dipping his fingers into the army funds.

“In lieu of the abolished office which has lumped all fiscal functions under its tasks,” the outspoken and glib army officer said the “Resource Management, Fiscal Management, Accounting and Internal Audit Offices are formed”.

“We and our men in the fields have felt the benefits of the reform,” Lt. Col Brawner, who pointed out “new uniforms and equipment as well as logistics now come on schedule to the men in the fields.”

“We condole and sympathize with the friends and family members of General Angelo Reyes and we are saddened by his death,” Brawner aired. 

General Reyes, retired AFP Chief and Barwner’s boss shot himself to death early morning Tuesday, February 8 at the grave of his mother Purificacion at Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina.

Earlier, while being investigated on allegations of corruption as former AFP Chief, Reyes said he would never do anything to tarnish the good name of his mother, who was a retired public school teacher.

Over his death, Brawner said the army in Bohol flew the flags in camp at half mast until his burial to honor their former chief.

We hope this is the last of this kind of incident in the country for the nation and for our soldiers, the special forces commanding officer said.

Despite all these, the junior officer assigned at Riverside Bilar camp said the army supports the investigation for the reason of ferreting out the truth.

Our men in the fields deserve to know, he shared even as he assured his men’s professionalism to remain focused to their mission in Bohol. (racPIABohol)