VPSPG officer allegedly linked to confi funds removed from post

Colonel Raymund Dante Lachica has been reassigned from his post as commander of the AFP Security and Protection Group (ASPG)—formerly, the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG)—over his alleged involvement in the supposed misuse of confidential funds.

In a statement Tuesday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) confirmed that Lachica has been reassigned back to the Philippine Army effective October 4.

“The reassignment was made in view of an existing case filed before the Office of the Ombudsman involving Colonel Lachica and [ex-VPSPG deputy commander Colonel Dennis Nolasco],” the AFP said.

Lachica was replaced by Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Israel Eleosida. 

“The AFP ensures a smooth transition of leadership to maintain the efficiency and professionalism of the ASPG in the performance of its mandated mission,” the AFP said.

In a House hearing in November 2024, officers from the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd)— under Vice President Sara Duterte— said that millions of confidential funds were transferred to Nolasco and Lachica.

According to OVP special disbursing officer Gina Acosta, Duterte gave the go-signal for her to turn over P125 million in confidential funds to Lachica in 2022.

Meanwhile, DepEd's special disbursement officer Edward Fajarda said the department in 2023 used P112.5 million worth of confidential funds and withdrew P37.5 million from a bank and released them in weekly tranches to Nolasco.

Duterte has maintained she did not misuse OVP funds and that the congressional inquiry is just a test case for her impeachment.

The Vice President has accused the Marcos administration of using her as a "punching bag" to hide corruption in the government. —Joviland Rita/RF, GMA Integrated News