Army captain charged for failure to return equipment

CEBU, Philippines - An army official assigned at the 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army based in Camp Peralta, Jr., Jamindan, Capiz is facing charges before the Regional Trial Court for malversation of public property for his failure to return the equipment issued to him.

Graft Prosecutor Rolando Cervantes indicted Capt. Abundio Calidguid, supply officer of the 7th Infantry Battalion, 3rd ID and recommended P40,000 for his temporary liberty.

Editha Dichos, Supply Accountable Officer (SAO), of the Central Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Camp Lapu-Lapu, Barangay Apas, Cebu City alleged that the government properties issued to Calidguid were not return to their office despite repeated demands.

Caliguid allegedly did not return the 13 sets of ICOM IC-02AT amounting to P82,212; 13 sets of battery Pack (BP-8) amounting to P20,150; one set of typewriter Facit 15 worth P5,475 and one set computer worth P70,000 with a total worth of P177,837.

Dichos said despite repeated demands, Calidguid failed to return and likewise failed to clear his property accountabilities from his units.

She attached the machine copies of the corresponding Memorandum Receipts (MR) indicating that Calidguid really received the items entrusted to him.

Prosecutor Cervantes said “the failure of the public officer to have duly forthcoming any public funds or property with which he is chargeable, upon demand by any duly authorized officer shall be prima facie that he has put such missing funds or property to personal uses.”

Cervantes recommended that Calidguid be charged for malversation of public property under paragraph 4 Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code.

Article 217 of the RPC says any public officer who, by reason of the duties of his office, is accountable for the public property, shall consent or thorough abandonment or negligence, shall permit any other person to take such public funds or property, wholly or partially, or shall otherwise be guilty of misappropriation or malversation of funds or property. — (FREEMAN)