“If there are officers in our Armed Forces who have information on this case, we highly encourage them to go to the Solicitor-General and to put forward their case,” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said yesterday over government-run Radyo ng Bayan.

Solicitor General Jose Anselmo Cadiz had earlier appealed for cooperation among the military in the government’s battle against the former military comptroller, who allegedly amassed ill-gotten wealth while he was still in position.

“The Aquino administration will support those who will come forward and tell the truth on this case,” Valte said.

“Under the leadership of AFP Chief [of Staff Ricardo] David, we can see that the AFP and, of course, the President, is one in saying that we need to finish this case,” she added.

Valte had earlier disclosed that Garcia is facing plunder charges for allegedly stealing AFP funds, particularly the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping reimbursements, the US-Philippines Balikatan expenses, AFP procurement, and inter-agency transfers.

As an AFP comptroller earning supposedly about P37,000 a month plus allowances, Valte said Garcia was able to obtain peso cash deposits from P5 million in 1999 to P93 million in 2004. Dollar cash deposits meanwhile amounted from US$19,000 to US$1.98-million.

In December, 2010, Garcia posted P60,000 bail after pleading guilty to a lesser criminal charges of direct bribery and money laundering and agreeing to return some of the plundered funds. He has been detained for six years for plunder and other criminal charges and was out on bail since Dec. 18, 2010.

Madel Sabater, Manila Bulletin