AFP: 4 soldiers in Duterte list no longer in service

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AFP: 4 soldiers in Duterte list no longer in service
The Armed Forces of the Philippines says the 4 were already discharged prior to the announcement on August 7

MANILA, Philippines – Four Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) personnel mentioned in the list of officials supposedly involved in the illegal drug trade are no longer with the military.

The Philippine military said in a statement Monday, August 8, that those already not in service are Corporal Alfrenz Gurias Abedin, Private First Class Dalimama Ipad, Private First Class Philip Miro, and CAFGU Casimiro Castro.

The 4 are included in the list of over 150 officials from the judiciary, police, and local government President Rodrigo Duterte read during a Davao City press conference early Sunday, August 7. (READ: The Duterte list: Judges, mayors, police officials linked to drugs)

The list contains other errors as it also includes civilian public officials who are either retired or dead. (READ: One judge in Duterte list already dead for 8 years)

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno also pointed out on Monday that of the 7 judges that Duterte linked to drugs, one is dead and another was forced to retire in June 2016. (READ: Full text of Sereno’s letter to Duterte)

Different AFP units reported that Abedin, Ipad, Miro, and Casimiro were discharged from the military prior to the announcement. Exact dates of discharge, however, were not given.

Meanwhile, another soldier on Duterte’s list, retired Brigadier General Leoncio Daniega, has been dead since May 2010. According to records from the AFP Pensions and Gratuity Management Center, he retired from the service in December 1994.

The AFP also said it is still checking the status of the other two personnel – Staff Sergeant Vic Dela Cruz and Corporal Cusinan Lopez – allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade. 

Duterte has AFP support

The announcement of the names of officials who are allegedly drug protectors is the latest installment in the Duterte administration’s crackdown against illegal drugs. 

AFP Chief of Staff General Ricardo Visaya said the military will support the advocacy against illegal drugs in the Philippines, ensuring a “high standard of discipline and professionalism is enforced.”

“The AFP reiterates its unwavering support to the crackdown on illegal drugs,” he said. 

“We pledge our full cooperation in tracking down drug suspects and in assisting the Philippine National Police in its law enforcement operations,” Visaya added. – Rappler.com

 

Do you have information to correct or add to what’s on the Duterte list? Rappler is crowdsourcing information on the individuals on Duterte’s list. Comment below or email investigative@rappler.com for confidential information. Or simply tag @rapplerdotcom on Twitter.

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