Coast Guard chief, other officers ordered suspended

THE Ombudsman has issued a preventive suspension order against 25 highranking officials of the Philippine Coast Guard, including its commandant Rear Admiral William M. Melad, in connection with their alleged “anomalous utilization of funds amounting to P67.53 million,” a statement by the Ombudsman on Tuesday said.

Also ordered suspended for six months are Commodores Enrico Efren Evangelista, Jr. and Aaron Reconquista; Commanders John Esplana, William Arquero, Jude Thaddeus Besinga, Roben De Guzman, Angel Lobaton IV, Ferdinand Panganiban, Joselito Quintas, Ivan Roldan, Rommel Supangan, George Ursabia, Jr., Ferdinand Velasco, Wilfred Burgos and Allen Dalangin; Captains Joeven Fabul, Angelito Gil, Ramon Lopez, and Christopher Villacorte; and Lieutenant Junior Grade Mark Franklin Lim II, Lieutenant Mark Larsen Mariano, and Accounting Head Rogelio Caguioa.

But two other respondents, Viceadmiral Rodolfo Isorena and Rear Admiral Cecil Chen, are already retired.

The respondents are facing charges of grave misconduct and serious dishonest conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service over “the irregularities in cash advances totaling P67,533,289.73 which were used to purchase office supplies and information technology equipment without complying with procurement regulations.”

Ombudsman Conchita Carpiomorales said in the statement that “the respondents’ respective positions allow them to wield influence on possible witnesses and to access public records, [and] their continued stay in office may not only prejudice the cases against them but also allow them to commit further acts of malfeasance.”

Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade was directed by the Ombudsman to implement the suspension order.