AFP assures Angue of fair investigation

MANILA, Philippines - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has assured Rear Adm. Feliciano Angue of a fair investigation as the controversial Navy officer starts to face his investigators this week.

“We are sure that Rear Admiral Angue will be investigated fairly. All outputs will be considered (by the investigators),” AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta, Jr. said yesterday.

“The AFP is a professional organization and respects the rights of the accused, regardless of the gravity of the offense.”

Mabanta said the body that will look into Angue’s alleged violations of the AFP code of ethics is composed of “competent officers with unquestionable integrity.”

“The AFP is always committed to the pursuit of justice and for what is right and fair... There is an established and dependable mechanism and guidelines that govern the investigating body,” he said. 

Mabanta said the investigation on Angue is a temporary setback to his career. 

“It’s a glitch in his career but it really depends on the individual himself if he can redeem (himself) and move on in his career,” he said. “Everything is in proper perspective. Investigation is ongoing so we are waiting for the results. Within the next few days, it will be coming.”

The investigating body will be composed of senior Navy officers. Acting Navy chief Rear Adm. Danilo Cortez has said in an earlier interview that Angue will face the investigators this week.

Navy spokesman Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo said the investigating body started gathering evidence last week.

“I think they (investigators) have asked the television stations for copies of footage. They also asked the newspapers for clippings. They will study these materials as well as the statements that will come from him (Angue),” he said in Filipino. 

“If he would be summoned before the board, one thing we can say is we are going to expedite the process because we do not want to cause undue injustice to all the parties involved.”

Last week, Angue complained that his appointment as Naval Forces Western Mindanao chief, a two-star post, is a demotion since his previous assignment as National Capital Region Command chief carries a three-star position.

The reassignment came after Angue revealed that some military officers backed politicians during the last elections to secure key assignments.

AFP chief Lt. Gen. Ricardo David has claimed that Angue’s new assignment is appropriate to his rank as a two-star general. He added that Angue is not the first officer who was transferred to a two-star post from a three-star designation.

Angue also decried the supposed politicking in the AFP’s promotion system and accused Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin of meddling in the giving of assignments.             

Military and defense officials have belied his allegations.

The AFP has ordered an investigation on Angue after he continued to hold press conferences to air his concerns despite an order barring him from issuing statements on the issue.

On Friday, David announced that Angue’s assumption as Naval Forces Western Mindanao chief has been deferred pending the results of the probe. He, however, said Angue can still be promoted if he performs well in his new assignment.