MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) vowed to select only the best and those with the highest qualifications to run its Health Service Command in a bid to foster reforms in the institution.
“(Only) the best qualified, best deserving to command this vital institution of the AFP (will be selected),” AFP spokesperson Col. Edgard Arevalo said in an interview Wednesday.
Aside from possessing the highest qualifications, individuals eyeing or being eyed for the AFPHSC top post must have “impeccable character and impeccable reputation”, he added.
Earlier, AFP HSC head Brig. Gen. Edwin Leo Torrelavega was ordered relieved along with 21 others, to give way to the investigation on the alleged anomalies in procurement practices at the AFP Medical Center.
With this development, AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Carlito Galvez, Jr. pledged to clean and make the AFPHSC one of the best medical care facilities in the country. He expressed his commitment to resolve the above-mentioned case and come up with findings without undue haste.
Galvez earlier said these personnel will be charged with violation of Article of War 95 (Fraud Against the Government). But this is without prejudice to other infractions of the Articles of War that may have also been violated; and the accused military personnel’s right to due process.
“But I commit to the members of the AFP, to the Filipino People, and to our beloved President and Commander-in-Chief that I will render justice to all concerned without undue haste. As the President said during the last SONA (State of the Nation Address) corruption is corrosive. And the warning that— ‘I will get you!’ And I am one with him in that desire. At ito na yun (This is what is happening now),” he added. (Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)
