This is in response to the joint law enforcement operation to apprehend a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) non-officer, 25-YEAR-OLD CG APPRENTICE SEAMAN (ASN) ALDASHER I ANNI assigned at the Coast Guard Station Basih-Balan under the Coast Guard District Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) at around 04:30 p.m. yesterday, 27 September 2021.

A PCG applicant filed a complaint against CG ASN Anni for EXTORTING MONEY FROM HIS FELLOW PCG APPLICANTS IN ZAMBOANGA CITY. According to the complainant, the said PCG non-officer was asking for PHP 85,000 for the IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF THEIR MEDICAL AND DENTAL CLEARANCES without undergoing medical and dental evaluations, thereby expediting their enlistment into the Coast Guard service.

The entrapment operation was conducted at a hotel in Veterans Avenue, Zamboanga City after the complainant handed over the marked money to CG ASN Anni. Also confiscated from his possession were two pieces of one thousand peso bill used as marked money and one bundle of boodle money amounting to Php 132,000.

The joint law enforcement team, composed of PCG Intelligence Operatives and the Philippine National Police (PNP), brought CG ASN Anni to Sta. Maria Police Station 7 for documentation and proper disposition before the filing of charges in violation of Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and Republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

Upon receipt of the report, PCG Commandant, Vice Admiral Leopoldo V Laroya ordered the conduct of the parallel investigation to identify other Coast Guard officers and/or non-officers who might be working with CG ASN Anni in extorting PCG applicants. Based on initial findings, CG ASN Anni has been absent without official leave (AWOL) since 30 August 2021.

“When you applied to join the Coast Guard, you endured several months of training and lack of communication with your families to transform your civilian character and embrace the military mindset. You are instructed to put service above self, yet there are still those who take advantage of others who only desired to serve the country and help their families,” CG Vice Admiral Laroya said.

“The PCG will never tolerate extortion or any act of corruption among its personnel. This incident is a warning to the men and women of the Coast Guard that unscrupulous practices will result in the removal of their dignity as public servants and waste their years of service to the nation,” he furthered.

The Coast Guard Commandant enjoined PCG applicants and their families to report similar incidents through the Coast Guard Public Affairs (0927-560-7729) or the official PCG Facebook page (https://m.facebook.com/coastguardph) for immediate measures and appropriate actions.