MANILA — A day after firing top officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Medical Center, President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Tuesday signed the dismissal order of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) comptroller Lt. Col. Hector Maraña for malversation of public funds.
Duterte signed the dismissal order of Maraña during the launching of the Go Negosyo’s “Pilipinas Angat Lahat” program at the Rizal Hall in Malacañang Palace.
“I will sign it in your presence. Send the guy to hell. That’s an order,” Duterte said after signing the dismissal order in front of 30 government and private corporations which formed an alliance to alleviate poverty and generate new jobs for Filipinos through micro, small and enterprises (MSMEs) development.
Duterte said Maraña, as treasurer of the PMA Cadets Corps, had malversed PHP15 million of the cadets’ allowances.
“He was recommended to be in prison six to 12 years. This is good,” Duterte said.
He warned the PMAers and soldiers that “I’ll give you hell” if they go into corruption.
Last Monday, Duterte dismissed AFP Medical Center (also known as the V. Luna Hospital) commander Col. Antonio Punzalan, AFP Health Service Center head Brig. Gen. Edwin Leo Torrelavega and 20 others for alleged procurement anomalies and ghost deliveries.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque has said the officials will also undergo court martial proceedings. (Jelly Musico/PNA)
