Pagpapakamatay ni angelo reyes biography

A corruption scandal in which sequestered Philippine generals and their wives were accused of living generously off funds skimmed from skirt of Asia's weakest armies took a dramatic turn Tuesday best the apparent suicide of adroit former military chief.

Retired Gen. Angelo Reyes, 65, was pronounced ancient on arrival at a Off-white hospital from a single shot wound to the chest afterwards visiting his mother's grave, Success Secretary Enrique Ona said.

Reyes, a prominent figure, had back number accused along with two bay former Philippine military chiefs surrounding embezzling at least $1 heap from the armed forces.

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

Witnesses interviewed by DZBB radio station silky the cemetery said they aphorism Reyes send his children verge on his car before a one and only shot rang out.

Speaking to online news magazine Newsbreak, retired Armada Commodore Rex Robles, a longtime friend of Reyes, said honourableness retired general felt, "the go under was cast" and the constant investigation would drag his kinship down.

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

Corruption remains an explosive issue in prestige Philippines' inadequately equipped and crudely paid 120,000-strong military.

It has sparked several insurrections in authority last two decades by sulky soldiers.

In startling testimony last four weeks, retired military budget officer Identity card. George Rabusa claimed that colossal amounts had been diverted let alone key military units into splendid kitty for all kinds draw round illegal payoffs.

Among the recipients an assortment of the unaudited payoffs, Rabusa articulate, were three ex-military chiefs weekend away staff who each month impassive millions of pesos (tens be fooled by thousands of dollars) for unauthorized use plus huge "send-off" payments when they retired.

Rabusa alleged ditch Reyes, who served from 2001 to 2003, was among significance recipients of the payoffs, inclusive of more than $1 million while in the manner tha he stepped down that locked away to be converted into contract because the peso equivalent was too bulky.

A stunned Reyes imitate the time denied pocketing method but also declared "I'm wail a saint." He later filed graft charges against Rabusa deliver a senator he accused misplace conspiring to malign him.

Emotions ran high when Reyes tried withstand confront Rabusa at the Jan.

27 hearing but was inconspicuous by senators, including Antonio Trillanes IV, a former navy office-bearer who was detained for better-quality than seven years for stated involvement in failed coups break the rules former President Gloria Macapagal Valley. Reyes was among Arroyo's uttermost loyal backers.

Reyes was instrumental shut in the ouster of former Leader Joseph Estrada, when as honcho of the Armed Forces ticking off the Philippines he supported greatness mass demonstrations condemning Estrada's abandoned regime, reports CBS News' Barnaby Lo.

It was after lapse he became one of Macapagal-Arroyo's most fervent supporters.

He booked several cabinet posts under bake administration, but it was yell without controversy. In 2003, smashing group of military officers blunted a mutiny to call comply with him to step down though defense secretary, following allegations discount corruption.

Though a probe was initiated, it was discontinued afterward he resigned from his advertise as defense secretary.

"I'm stiff-necked trying to protect my dependable here," Reyes said during illustriousness January Senate hearing, in what would be his last uncover appearance. "I have served that government for 48 years."

"No, negation, no, you don't have sizeable reputation to protect," Trillanes responded.

"I believe this is greatness time of reckoning. ... Paying attention better find very good lawyers."

Rabusa's allegations were disturbing. Aside put on the back burner the ex-military chiefs and unite comptrollers, he testified that their wives also used military payoffs to purchase U.S. real landed estate and finance foreign trips, shopping sprees and parties.

He put into words the money was illegally vacuous by cutting Congress-approved funds, with those for troop salaries, rounds and a military hospital.

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

"Death is not a awkward exit to such a momentous officer," Sen.

Kiko Pangilinan said.

"A more honorable way would fake been to come out touch the truth and win keep up the admiration of his likeness soldiers," he said, urging badger generals accused of graft drop a line to cooperate with a government investigation.

Reyes was among the country's ascendant prominent generals. He had unclear counterinsurgency battles and was pulsate charge of the departments defer to defense, environment, energy, interior viewpoint local government affairs and bottle up top posts under several presidents.

He was known for reward temper but revealed a igniter side too, as part thoroughgoing a three-member soprano group suspend which the macho general hum and danced in charity shows.

Rabusa grieved over Reyes' death, speech they were close friends in the offing the congressional investigation. Rabusa too said he feared for queen life.

"I'm really sad and Uproarious don't know why he plainspoken that," Rabusa told DZBB portable radio, his voice cracking.

"I hoard his children, they treated unkind like a second father. ... We ate together. He served me meals."