DILG’s Diño wears PCG Auxiliary uniform, but PCG says he’s not a legit member

The Philippine Coast Guard on Sunday announced that Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Martin Diño is not a member of its official support group and should not wear its uniform.

The PCG issued the statement after netizens called out Diño for wearing a uniform for a Rear Admiral of the PCG Auxiliary.

Diño on Saturday posted his photo on Facebook where he is wearing the uniform.

"Records from the PCG Auxiliary membership disclosed that USEC Diño is not a legitimate member of the organization and hence not entitled to wear the PCGA uniform," it said.

The PCG said that Under Republic Act 9993 of the Philippine Coast Guard Law, it has the right to file a complaint of usurpation of authority against a person who is not authorized to wear the PCG Auxiliary's uniform and assume a rank of the organization.

The PCG said that Diño could have been a recruited by bogus PCG support group.

"PCG will coordinate with USEC Dino, who may have been misled and recruited by bogus PCG Auxiliary organization known for collecting money from its recruits. PCG is also checking reports that a certain Admiral Villanueva from Manila Yacht Club is behind this scheme," it said.

In an interview with GMA News Online, Diño justified wearing the uniform of the PCG Auxiliary, claiming he was installed as a Real Admiral of the group earlier this year.

"Noong January 25, Thursday, 7 o'clock sa Manila Yacht Club, ininstall ako as a Rear Admiral. Ayon doon sa aming samahan, 'yun na 'yung pwesto ko," he said in a phone interview.

He said he was installed as a Rear Admiral by a certain Admiral Villanueva who was in charge of the Manila Yacht Club Squadron.

"Siya ang namumuno sa 101 Manila Yacht Club Squadron. Kung may problema sila doon, 'yun ang atakihin nila, hindi ako," he said.

According to Diño, he was recruited by one of the members of the Manila Squadron and installed as a Commodore in 2015. He was still working for the Subic Bay Development Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) then.

"Una kasi, Commodore — one star, tapos prinomote ako," he said, noting that his installation as Rear Admiral came after he was appointed as an Undersecretary for the DILG.

He said the Manila Squadron is one of the first PCG Auxiliaries in the Philippines, and is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

"Ang pagkakaalam ko, ang unang unang squadron, ang unang unang Coast Guard sa Pilipinas ay ang Manila Yacht Club," he said.

"Kung halimbawat may question, dapat ang anuhin nila ay ang ang pamunuhan ng Manila Yacht Club," he added.

Diño also denied collecting money from recruits and said he was only doing his job to encourage barangay tanods to work for the PCG in times of need, and in preparation for "The Big One," the magnitude-7.2 earthquake feared to strike Metro Manila.

"Walang kinokolektang pera. Papano mo kokolektahan ng pera ang mga tanod? Ito'y magsisilbi at ang magtetraining dito, ang Coast Guard," he said.

"Ang akin ay makapaggawa tayo ng volunteers para 'yung barangay sa tabong ilog ay hindi na kami tatawag ng Coast Guard." he added.

In the same interview, Diño also responded to those who criticized him for wearing the Rear Admiral uniform.

"Kanila na 'yang ranggo nila, basta ang tanong, anong ginawa nila," he said. —ALG, GMA News