Soldier faces raps

CEBU, Philippines - The Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for the Military indicted sergeant Salvador Delfin for malversation after he refused to turn over government issued property.

Graft investigator Yvette Marie Evaristo found probable cause to elevate the case to the Regional Trial Court yesterday after Delfin did not file counter-affidavit to the accusations filed against him.

“Preliminary investigation has been conducted in this case, that there is sufficient ground to engender a well-founded belief that the crime charged has been committed; and that the accused is probably guilty thereof,” Evaristo said.

Evaristo recommended P30,000 bail for Delfin’s temporary liberty.

In her resolution, Evaristo narrated that Delfin was assigned with the Visayas Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Camp Lapu-Lapu, Cebu City when he was issued one unit radio ICOM with complete accessories and one unit battery pack on September 3, 1994.

Evaristo said on October 18, 2001, when Delfin was discharged from service, he failed to turn over the issued property despite repeated demands.

“Despite issuance of an order dated August 22, 2008 requiring the respondent to submit his answer to the charge, no compliance whatsoever was filed, hence the charge against him remains uncontroverted,” she said.

The complainant of the case was Editha Dichos, supply accountable officer of Central Command, AFP at camp Lapu-Lapu, Barangay Apas, Cebu City. – (FREEMAN)