Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. said he has ordered an investigation to determine if Orly Guteza, who emerged as a ‘‘surprise witness’’ in the Senate’s probe on alleged corruption in flood control projects, was being sheltered by the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC).
‘‘When I saw the news, when I found out that Guteza was allegedly in the custody of the Philippine Marines, I immediately had my staff investigate if he was there,’’ Brawner said in an ambush interview during the pre-departure ceremony for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday.
‘‘So far, there has been no feedback to me,’’ he added.
Brawner also stressed that the AFP has no intention of preventing Guteza from testifying before the Senate.
‘‘If he is being protected because of threats to his life, I see nothing wrong with that. But if he is being kept from testifying, that could be a violation,’’ he said.
The Philippine Navy earlier clarified that Guteza has long been separated from military service and is not under the custody or protection of the Marine Corps.
Navy spokesperson Capt. Marissa Martinez said Guteza retired years ago and has had no official connection with the service since then.
