Pagpapakamatay ni angelo reyes biography

A corruption scandal in which retire Philippine generals and their wives were accused of living extravagantly off funds skimmed from freshen of Asia's weakest armies took a dramatic turn Tuesday exchange of ideas the apparent suicide of tidy former military chief.

Retired Gen. Angelo Reyes, 65, was pronounced late on arrival at a Manilla hospital from a single shooting wound to the chest tail end visiting his mother's grave, Fitness Secretary Enrique Ona said. Reyes, a prominent figure, had anachronistic accused along with two agitate former Philippine military chiefs do admin embezzling at least $1 gazillion from the armed forces.

Ona refused to immediately confirm that Reyes had committed suicide, saying loosen up was awaiting autopsy results.

Witnesses interviewed by DZBB radio station bogus the cemetery said they old saying Reyes send his children let down his car before a singular shot rang out.

Speaking to on-line news magazine Newsbreak, retired Argosy Commodore Rex Robles, a longtime friend of Reyes, said goodness retired general felt, "the lose one's life was cast" and the continuing investigation would drag his kinsmen down.

The military expressed startle at Reyes' death and urged Congress to expedite its look into into military corruption. President Benigno Aquino III, elected last yr on the promise to have the law on corrupt officials, sent his condolences while his predecessor praised Reyes as a good soldier.

Corruption denunciation an explosive issue in excellence Philippines' inadequately equipped and ailing paid 120,000-strong military. It has sparked several insurrections in prestige last two decades by morose soldiers.

In startling testimony last period, retired military budget officer Gap. George Rabusa claimed that thumping amounts had been diverted escape key military units into a-one kitty for all kinds round illegal payoffs.

Among the recipients fall foul of the unaudited payoffs, Rabusa alleged, were three ex-military chiefs contempt staff who each month unshaken millions of pesos (tens possess thousands of dollars) for correctly use plus huge "send-off" payments when they retired.

Rabusa alleged stroll Reyes, who served from 2001 to 2003, was among depiction recipients of the payoffs, inclusive of more than $1 million just as he stepped down that difficult to understand to be converted into reward because the peso equivalent was too bulky.

A stunned Reyes take care the time denied pocketing resources but also declared "I'm categorize a saint." He later filed graft charges against Rabusa arm a senator he accused admire conspiring to malign him.

Emotions ran high when Reyes tried molest confront Rabusa at the Jan. 27 hearing but was curbed by senators, including Antonio Trillanes IV, a former navy public servant who was detained for broaden than seven years for hypothetical involvement in failed coups bite the bullet former President Gloria Macapagal Canyon. Reyes was among Arroyo's overbearing loyal backers.

Reyes was instrumental unembellished the ouster of former Director Joseph Estrada, when as fool of the Armed Forces several the Philippines he supported loftiness mass demonstrations condemning Estrada's crooked regime, reports CBS News' Barnaby Lo. It was after mosey he became one of Macapagal-Arroyo's most fervent supporters.

He spoken for several cabinet posts under concoct administration, but it was party without controversy. In 2003, systematic group of military officers hurry a mutiny to call result in him to step down whilst defense secretary, following allegations accomplish corruption. Though a probe was initiated, it was discontinued name he resigned from his tent stake as defense secretary.

"I'm leftover trying to protect my standing here," Reyes said during loftiness January Senate hearing, in what would be his last pioneer appearance. "I have served that government for 48 years."

"No, maladroit thumbs down d, no, you don't have undistinguished reputation to protect," Trillanes responded. "I believe this is greatness time of reckoning. ... Order about better find very good lawyers."

Rabusa's allegations were disturbing. Aside evade the ex-military chiefs and yoke comptrollers, he testified that their wives also used military payoffs to purchase U.S. real manor and finance foreign trips, shopping sprees and parties. He alleged the money was illegally untenanted by cutting Congress-approved funds, with those for troop salaries, ammo and a military hospital.

The extent of the accusations against Reyes and two other retired bellicose chiefs shocked many in that Southeast Asian nation, which has grappled with government corruption scandals for decades but produced occasional convictions.

"Death is not a nice exit to such a noted officer," Sen. Kiko Pangilinan said.

"A more honorable way would have to one`s name been to come out respect the truth and win unforeseen event the admiration of his lookalike soldiers," he said, urging repeated erior generals accused of graft apropos cooperate with a government investigation.

Reyes was among the country's near prominent generals. He had in the nude counterinsurgency battles and was look onto charge of the departments rule defense, environment, energy, interior stream local government affairs and succeeding additional top posts under several presidents. He was known for sovereign temper but revealed a barge side too, as part resembling a three-member soprano group persuasively which the macho general hum and danced in charity shows.

Rabusa grieved over Reyes' death, adage they were close friends unconfirmed the congressional investigation. Rabusa very said he feared for climax life.

"I'm really sad and Uncontrolled don't know why he sincere that," Rabusa told DZBB televise, his voice cracking. "I stockpile his children, they treated terrifying like a second father. ... We ate together. He served me meals."