Marine captain: AFP weapons sold to MILF

A Marine captain accused Armed Forces officials yesterday of selling guns and ammunition to secessionists in Mindanao.

In an affidavit, Marine Capt. Danilo Luna swore that he saw "a certain Lt. Col. Elardo of (Armed Forces) Southern Command" hand over ammunition loaded in M-35 trucks to former Panamao town mayor Hajji Bagis — a known former rebel — and "unknown" companions.

"I executed my affidavit last Aug. 5, 2003, based on my personal knowledge and to inform the President and the Filipino people that arms and ammunition are being sold and delivered to the enemies of the state," read the affidavit.

Luna said on Dec. 28, 1997, while commanding the 17th Marine company in Jolo, Sulu, he received an order from the 3rd Marine Brigade to provide light armored support and back-up security to Marines for a supposed "logistic run" or delivery of arms and ammunition.

"For purposes of the said armor support and back-up security, I was ordered to report at 1200 for briefing," read the affidavit.

"Together with my crew, I reported to the Tactical Operations Center at 11:30 and to my surprise, no briefing was held. Instead, I was ordered to be on standby and be ready to provide back-up support once called upon to do so."

Luna said that at 5:30 p.m., Lt. Col. Lorenzo Dimaunahan ordered him to bring two light armored vehicles and link up in convoy with two M-35 trucks carrying an undetermined number of troops.

"As ordered, I was made to understand that the logistics run would be destined for headquarters of the MBLT4," read the affidavit.

"At the location of the M35 trucks, I was not able to confer nor talk with drivers of the non-commissioned officers because they had separate orders to proceed once the light armored vehicles were in sight."

Without radio contact, he followed the trucks, with a mini cruiser at the head of the convoy, he added.

Luna said he was surprised when the convoy passed the Marine headquarters and sped towards Seit Higad near the residence of Bagis.

Luna said he checked the trucks and found several hundred rounds of 81-mm. mortar cartridge HE, 60-mm. mortar cartridge HE, 90-mm. recoilless rifle cartridge HE, 57-mm. rocket launchers cartridge HE, several thousand rounds for caliber .50 and various other types of ammunition.

Later, he saw Elardo transfer the guns and ammunition to Bagis, he added.

Luna said he reported the matter to the Marine Intelligence Detachment at Camp Bautista in Busbos, Jolo, specifically to a certain Sgt. Abiding, and later to Capt. George Fernandez, officer-in-charge of the Marine Intelligence Detachment in Zamboanga City.

But Luna said nothing came out of the investigation and that his operations officer told him that the mission was sanctioned by Southcom.

Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr. asked Senate President Franklin Drilon yesterday to place Luna and Marine Capt. Ury Pesigan in the Senate’s custody because they are holding vital evidence against Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes and other top Armed Forces officials.

"I understand that Captain Pesigan will testify on other anomalies being committed by certain elements within the structure of the Department of National Defense," he said.

"In this connection, may I request that Captain Luna and Captain Pesigan, who fear for their lives, be placed in the protective custody of the Senate as vital, material witnesses or under any agency which can extend protection against any attempt on their lives," he said.

Pimentel said Luna and Pesigan, who are not graduates of the Philippine Military Academy, have decided to come out in the open because they have personal knowledge of anomalies involving Reyes and other ranking officials of the Armed Forces.

Luna and Pesigan have not gone AWOL but that their superiors are trying to make it appear they have deserted their posts to silence them, he added.

Drilon said he will ask the Department of Justice to place Luna and Pesigan, who are stationed at Fort Bonifacio in Makati City, under the government’s Witness Protection Program.

He had issued a subpoena for Luna and Pesigan to appear and testify before a Senate inquiry on the failed July 27 military uprising on Thursday, he added.