Miriam wants deeper probe into P10-M theft inside AFP vault

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago wants a deeper probe into the reported theft of P10 million inside the manager’s vault of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Commissary and Exchange Service (AFPCES) in the Fort Bonifacio Naval Station in Taguig last month.

Santiago filed Senate Resolution 1059 in a bid to determine if it is proper to keep huge amounts of money in government offices.  “It is timely to discuss the feasibility of no-cash policy in all public transactions, to reduce the possibility of similar incidents,” Santiago said.

The senator referred to an article published at The Star on November 19 that P10 million was taken from the manager’s vault inside AFPCES.

Police investigators from the Southern Police District the suspect took off with about P 10 million. The vault, however, was not forcibly opened, leading to speculations of an inside job.

Lt. Commander Marineth Domingo, acting director of the Naval Public Affairs Office, said not even the roving security guards and personnel noticed anything unusual at the time of the alleged theft. An employee discovered that the cash was missing the next morning, apparently after the incident took place.

“The incident raises concerns on the safety of keeping huge amounts of money in agencies,” Santiago said.

“Congress, through relevant legislation, should ensure that public funds are not only appropriately used, but also safely kept,” she said.

The resolution has been referred to the Senate committee on national defense and security headed by Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, a former Navy lieutenant who launched a coup against the Arroyo administration before winning his senatorial bid in 2007 even while he was in jail.