ISAFP denies joining smear drive versus DOJ

MANILA, Philippines - The Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) has denied allegations that it was involved in a purported smear campaign against the Department of Justice (DOJ) in connection with the bribery scandal involving the case of the “Alabang Boys.”

ISAFP chief Major General Romeo Prestoza said the military unit was “unfairly dragged into the perceived debacle between two distinct government agencies (the DOJ and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency).”

Prestoza was reacting to a story that came out in The STAR that cited sources saying the ISAFP was helping PDEA agents in an alleged move to cast doubt on the DOJ, whose prosecutors are being accused of receiving bribes to dismiss the charges against the drug suspects Richard Brodett, Joseph Tecson, and Jorge Joseph.

According to Prestoza, the ISAFP “was never involved nor has it participated” in such activities.

“As a point of clarification, ISAFP is capable of assisting any government institution in need of its services but only in pursuit of state interests and security,” he said in a letter sent to The STAR dated Feb. 16.

“This mandate is done with professionalism and in strict observance of the rules of law and without any prejudice to any other institution that may be subject of any investigation,” Prestoza said.

Prestoza said that while PDEA chief Director General Dionisio Santiago was once chief of the AFP, “ISAFP also strictly abides by the present military chain of command and answers to the position and is not personality-based in its obedience.”

 “ISAFP is performing its job within the bounds of its mandated authority and constitutional limitations as an apolitical, independent and dedicated intelligence support unit of the AFP,” he said. – Reinir Padua