General goes on leave amid probe on house construction

MANILA, Philippines - A general accused of using soldiers to build his three-story house in Taguig has filed for a leave of absence pending the result of a probe conducted by the military.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Brig. Gen. Domingo Tutaan Jr. said Brig. Gen. Dante Costes, the subject of the investigation, went on leave last week.

“Actually, the investigation is about to be finished. I am just waiting for the report to be submitted to CS (Armed Forces chief of staff) before I release it,” Tutaan said. “The purpose of his (Costes) leave is to give way to the investigation.”

Maj. Gen. Crisologo Nayve, Costes’ deputy, temporarily took over the general’s post as chief of the AFP’s Communication, Electronics and Information Systems.

The probe stemmed from an anonymous but detailed letter that described how Costes allegedly used soldiers as engineers, foremen and laborers to construct his three-story house at the AFP Officer’s Village.

“Is it right for the soldiers to abandon their mandated military tasks to serve the personal interest of Gen. Costes as his construction workers?” the “concerned citizens” said in the letter.

“We are hoping that this illegal practice within the military service is soon addressed,” they added.