The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is considering filing a case against Winifredo Villanueva, commander of the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA) 101st Squadron, for allegedly recruiting people without the PCG鈥檚 authority.
One of Villanueva鈥檚 alleged recruits is Interior Undersecretary Martin Di帽o, who sparked a furor among military men and on social media recently for wearing a PCGA uniform with two stars on his shoulder boards.
鈥淲e are conducting an investigation 鈥� we are looking into filing a case against Winifredo Villanueva. It depends on the evaluation, investigation of the legal service of PCG,鈥� said PCG spokesperson Armand Balilo.
鈥淲e鈥檒l see what possible violation of criminal law can be filed against him,鈥� he added.
The PCG earlier said that Di帽o was not a legitimate member of the PCGA, the agency鈥檚 volunteer arm.
鈥淩ecords from the PCG Auxiliary membership disclosed that Undersecretary Di帽o is not a legitimate member of the organization and hence not entitled to wear the PCGA uniform,鈥� Balilo said.
He added that the PCG, under the Republic Act 9993 (PCG Law of 2010), has the sole responsibility and authority over the PCG Auxiliary membership and activities. 鈥�TINA G. SANTOS