Diño upset at Coast Guard over statement on his wearing of officer's uniform

MANILA, Philippines — Local Government Undersecretary Martin Diño on Monday slammed the Philippine Coast Guard for releasing a statement against his wearing of the uniform of a rear admiral of the Coast Guard's volunteer arm, the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Diño said that he was bullied due to the Coast Guard’s statement denying his affiliation with the organization.

“Dapat siguro, ano ba namang tawagin nila ako at sabihin ‘Usec, bogus ito.’ Kaso nilabas nila sa media e. Nilabas nila ang litrato ko, nilait-lait nila ako,” Diño was quoted a radio report of dzBB.

“Katakot-takot na panlalalit, naging pulutan na naman ako. Bakit? Ano ba naman makukuha ko sa uniporme na ‘yan e, Usec na ako?” he said.

Diño to Coast Guard: What have you done for the people?

The Department of the Interior and Local Government official also hit back against the Coast Guard, asking them what they have contributed to villages. He said the local government plans to bring rescue operation and preparedness to the barangay level.

He cited that the Coast Guard trains volunteers for rescue operations.

“Dapat dito ang nasa isip natin ay maging alerto, dapat alisto at hindi yung uniporme, ‘yung pagtulong sa taumbayan,” Diño said.

“Ano na ang nagawa niyo sa barangay? Sa taumbayan para tawagin akong clown? Iyon ang masakit, ‘wag niyo na akong idamay sa away,” he added.

On Sunday, the Coast Guard issued a clarification on Diño’s link with its volunteer arm after some online users questioned the propriety of the photo of the DILG official wearing the uniform of a rear admiral of the PCGA.

RELATED: Coast Guard: DILG's Diño is not a PCGA rear admiral

Coast Guard spokesperson Captain Aramand Balilo said Diño "is not a legitimate member of the organization and hence not entitled to wear the PCGA uniform."

Balilo also cited the Coast Guard law, Republic Act 9993, stating that “the PCG has sole responsibility and authority over the PCG Auxiliary membership and activities.”

The Coast Guard said it has “the right to file formal complaint for usurpation of authority and other criminal laws that may be violated by the improper wearing of the organization’s rank and uniform.”

Despite this, Balilo said the Coast Guard would coordinate with Diño "who may have been misled and recruited by bogus PCG Auxiliary organization known for collecting money from its recruits."

Diño, however, explained that he had the uniform tailored and he did not pay any membership fee.

Facebook page "Philippines Defense Forces Forum" earlier posted a photo of Diño and accused him of violating RA 9993. It criticized the undersecretary for "desecrating the PCGA with his fake rank, fake uniform and unearned, unmerited badges and ribbons."

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