Philippine Armed Forces (AFP) Chief of Staff Efren Abu ordered an investigation against four generals, whose names are allegedly mentioned in the wiretap indicating possible election fraud of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, an AFP officer said Thursday.

AFP Deputy Chief of Staff Edilberto Adan told reporters that Abu has grouped a four-member panel "to investigate allegations of involvement of some generals whose names were mentioned in the so- called Garci tapes."

The panel is headed by AFP Inspector Mateo Mayuga, along with AFP deputy chief of staff for plans and programs Romeo Alamillo, deputy Judge Advocate Caridad Aguilar and assistant AFP deputy chief of staff for personnel Commodore Emilio Marayag as members.

Adan said the panel has already "communicated" with Congress, asking for a copy of the recordings containing wiretapped conversations between President Arroyo and election commissioner Virgillo Garcillano, who seemed plotting electoral fraud in last year's presidential polls.

"To secure a copy of these tapes is the first step in getting to know the heart of the matter," Adan said.

Adan added that some officers mentioned in the tape have been summoned for initial investigation.

The four generals under investigation are incoming Army chief Hermogenes Esperson, then Southern Command chief Roy Kyamko, then Task Force Comet chief Gabriel Habacon and then 2nd Marine Brigade chief Fransciso Gudani.

In the tapes, Garcillano implied that all officers, excluding Gudani, were in favor of Arroyo. Gudani was referred to by Garcillano as supporting the other side, apparently referring to the camp of the late candidate Fernando Poe Jr.

The wiretapped recordings are used by Arroyo's opposition as evidence of impeachment since its disclosure in early June. The AFP chief of staff Abu ordered the military last week to stay neutral amid the political controversy.

Source: Xinhua