Lakas-Kampi CMD presidential candidate Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro called on government authorities on Tuesday to make public the result of the investigations into the possible unlawful diversion of military firearms and ammunition which were believed to be part of arsenal of the Ampatuan clan that were found by military and police authorities in Maguindanao province last month.

The former defense chief said that government authorities should file the appropriate charges against military and police officers found to be involved in the sale or distribution of the high powered firearms, explosives and ammunition that landed on the hands of the Ampatuans. January 18, 2010, 5:22pm

A few days ago, several former and active police officers were charged with malversation of public funds by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) after they failed to account several firearms and motor vehicles issued to police stations and other units based in Maguindanao.

Police officers who were charged include P/Supt. Abusama Maguid, former provincial director, Maguindanao Police Provincial Office; retired P/Supt. Mangelen Adam, retired provincial director, Maguindanao Provincial Office; P/Insp. Bona Malampong Tamboka, assigned at Shariff Aguak police station; Senior Police Office 1 Pendulat Sambolawan, of Shariff Aguak police station; Police Officer 1 Warden Legawan, assigned at Maguindanao headquarters; PO1 Samsudin Abdullah, assigned at Datu Saudi Ampatuan Municipal police station.

According to the PNP-CIDG, the former Maguindanao director failed to account for 35 units of refurbished M-16, 5.56 mm. Armalite rifles worth P66,675 each or a total of P2.33 million that were turned over to his police unit on November 2008.

Teodoro stressed the need for transparency in the investigation ordered last month by AFP Chief Gen. Victor Ibrado to maintain the people’s confidence in the military institution.