‘Narco general’ faces illegal wealth raps

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has filed a criminal complaint against retired Philippine National Police (PNP) deputy director general Marcelino Garbo Jr. and his wife over alleged ill-gotten wealth amounting to P35.362 million.

In a two-page complaint filed yesterday with the Office of the Ombudsman, the NBI Anti-Graft Division (AGD) said its investigation showed that there is sufficient ground to hold Garbo and his wife, lawyer Rosalinda, accountable for violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act as well as RA 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, and falsification of public documents under the Revised Penal Code.

The NBI also asked the ombudsman to file a civil forfeiture case against the Garbo couple pursuant to RA 1379 or An Act Declaring the Forfeiture of Unlawfully Acquired Properties.

The NBI further recommended to the ombudsman that a corresponding request be made with the US government, through the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty, “to determine if [Mrs. Garbo] or any member of the family owns a real property in the US and for the eventual forfeiture thereof in favor of the Philippine government.”

The complaint was prepared by NBI-AGD investigation team leader Nathaniel Ramos and reviewed and approved by AGD chief Rachel Angeles.

Attached to the complaint was an 18-page report on the lifestyle check that the AGD earlier conducted on the Garbo couple as directed by NBI director Dante Gierran.

Gierran last year ordered an investigation on Garbo and other former police officials tagged by President Duterte as involved in the illegal drug trade.

Aside from Garbo, the other former police officials accused by Duterte of involvement in illegal drugs were former police director Joel Pagdilao, Chief Supts. Edgardo Tinio and Bernardo Diaz, and former chief superintendent and incumbent Daanbantayan Mayor Vicente Loot.

All five police officials, dubbed as “narco-generals,” vehemently denied the allegations. Garbo was specifically described by Duterte as a “protector of drug syndicates.”

In its investigation report, the NBI-AGD said the Garbo couple had a total of P35,362,732 in unexplained wealth, which includes P18.343 million worth of assets undeclared in their statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALNs) for 2005 to 2015.

The NBI said among the couple’s undeclared assets were six vehicles including a Hyundai Sta. Fe model amounting to P1.558 million, a Toyota Corolla amounting to P915,000, a Toyota Grandia (P1.940 million), a BMW R1200 Motorcycle (P1.4 million), a Chrysler Town and Country (P2.88 million) and a Kia Sportage (P1.29 million).

The couple allegedly owns a golf cart worth P300,000, also undeclared in their SALNs.

The NBI said the Garbos also have undeclared shares of stocks with Alabang Country Club amounting to P1.1 million, RG Placement Services amounting to P2.61 million and with GSL Security and Investigation Co. amounting to P2.95 million.

Furthermore, the ombudsman said the Garbo couple also had some P17 million worth of unexplained increase in their net worth from 2005 to 2015, which was “way beyond their legitimate income.”

“A subpoena was sent to Garbo for him to explain primarily how he was able to acquire these properties because according to this investigation, his known sources of income are not enough to cover these acquisitions,” the AGD’s investigation report read.

“His lawyer appeared in his stead but did not offer any explanation or answer to the investigators’ questions,” the report added.

Garbo, a supporter of former interior secretary Mar Roxas, also became controversial, after he was seen meeting with four active police generals at Novotel hotel in Quezon City a month before the May 2016 elections. Roxas, the standard-bear of the previous administration’s Liberal Party, lost to Duterte in last year’s presidential elections.