Lagot si Gen. Carlos Garcia

US gov’t wants BI to put Garcia on hold order list
AFP SAYS EX-COMPTROLLER TO FACE COURT MARTIAL

All hopes and dreams of Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia and his family to retire like royalty in the United States on dirty money were yesterday dashed after the US government asked the Bureau of Immigration (BI) not only to prevent the general from leaving the country but also for the Immigration agency to confiscate his green card.

BI Commissioner Alipio Fernandez Jr. received a request from the US Embassy through its Customs attaché Ravinder Jaspal, to ensure that Garcia is included in the Bureau's “stop list,” more commonly referred to as a hold order.

At the same time, the Armed Forces of the Philippines announced it will be filing charges of violations of the Articles of War against the former military comptroller for his unexplained wealth.

All indications, however, point to Garcia escaping a court martial, as already the AFP also claims that since Garcia is retiring from the service next month he will be beyond the pale of military justice.

AFP Deputy Chief of Staff and spokesman Maj. Gen. Edilberto Adan said once retired, the military can no longer try an officer.

Jaspal's letter to Fernandez disclosed that Garcia holds a US green card bearing No. A-029430514, indicating he had acquired permanent residence in the US, an act which is prohibited by law, considering that Garcia was active in military service at the time he acquired the green card, or permanent residency in the US.

Jaspal also pointed out that Garcia has never maintained residency in the US and is therefore not entitled to the green card he holds.

“Mr. Garcia is not a permanent resident of the US and should not be allowed to travel on his green card,” the US Customs attaché said.

For the general to have secured a green card can only mean that either Garcia has another passport which does not show his many departures to the US and returns to the Philippines, or he has the same passport which may reflect his departure to the US but does not have his return to the Philippines stamped by Immigration.

A military source told the Tribune yesterday that there are many high-ranking military officers who are holders of the US green card but who continue to reside in the Philippines.

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The US Embassy requested Immigration officers to be instructed into confiscating Garcia's green card if the general is spotted in any of the airports while trying to leave for the US.

Even as the AFP announces that Garcia would be charged with violations of the Articles of War, a prelude to full-blown court martial proceedings, this may not come to pass.

But if convened, Garcia would be the highest-ranking Filipino military official to be tried by a court martial in the history of the AFP on charges of corruption.

I hope you and your military colleagues rot in jail, asshole.