Ombudsman-Visayas probes info leaks

CEBU CITY — Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Primo Miro will investigate the possibility that somebody inside the anti-graft office leaked information about findings of certain cases even before the decisions have not yet been officially released.

This, after Ombudsman director Virginia Palanca-Santiago received a call last Wednesday from former Dumaguete City port collector Ramon Anquilan who verified reports that he had been dismissed from the service.

The news, Anquilan reportedly said, was already made known at the Bureau of Customs.

Santiago was surprised how Anquilan knew about the Ombudsman’s findings when the decision was not yet officially released. The decision was officially released just Thursday morning.

Santiago said she is worried that whoever leaked the information might use the practice in exchange for money.

Informed about Santiago’s concern, Miro said he would call for a general meeting of all investigators and personnel at the Ombudsman to get to the bottom of the issue.

He said the supposed leakage might have been possibly done by one of their employees considering that the document passes through many people before it reaches his office for final approval.

The anti-graft office has dismissed Anquilan and former Customs intelligence officer Francis Vic Alindogan from the service and suspended for six months former Customs police officer Jose Dayot for allegedly demanding money from an importer.

On July 11 last year, the three officials allegedly demanded money from a certain Elizabeth Cabauatan. Anquilan was then the sub-port collector in Dumaguete City.

Sought for comment, Anquilan said he will definitely file a motion for reconsideration, describing the allegations against him as baseless and false.

In view of Anquilan’s dismissal from the service, Customs Commissioner Antonio Bernardo ordered Customs collector Billy Bibit to recall the Customs personnel order dated July 16 designating Anquilan as the new chief of the assessment division.— Freeman News Service