On December 28, 2021, President Pedro Castillo was questioned by the prosecution as a witness in the case of the alleged government interference in the promotions of the Armed Forces (FF.AA.). In the appointment, which lasted more than 5 hours, the head of state provided answers that contradict others provided previously.
The Sunday Fourth Power agreed to the president’s version before the team headed by the supreme deputy prosecutor Ramiro Gonzáles. At one point they consulted him about the circumstances in which Bruno Pacheco was appointed Secretary General of the Presidency of the Republic.
“There is a whole process that is evaluated, but it is not done directly by me. I imagine that it must be human resources who evaluates the files”, Castillo Terrones answered.
However, this statement contradicts what was expressed by Pacheco during his presentation before the Oversight Commission of Congress. That day he assured that it was the head of the Government who proposed him to act as secretary of the Presidential Office.
“There is a lot of talk about how I got to the general secretariat. Well, the one who proposes me as secretary general is President Pedro Castillo”, Pacheco said.
The same thing happens when he is asked who is responsible for the appointment of the former Minister of Defense, Walter Ayala, who is involved in the Armed Forces case.
“Through the PCM it was evaluated and that is how it is designated. At that time the president of the PCM was Guido BellidoCastillo told prosecutors.
But old statements by Walter Ayala deny what the president said. In dialogue with the press, the former official indicated that Pedro Castillo was the one who summoned him.
“Exactly… He calls me on the 22nd, I think, or July 20Ayala declared.
-Questions and answers from Pedro Castillo-
– Prosecutor’s Office: Do you know if there is any similar report or document regarding the mishap you had on your trip to Puña?
– PC: You have never sent me any report
– F: How did you know that Commander Víctor Torres Quispe was applying for the rank of colonel in the 2021 promotion process?
– PC: I did not know that he was applying, I simply asked Vizcarra if he was applying.
– F: Do you remember meeting jointly with Commander General Vizcarra Alvaréz and Defense Minister Walter Ayala at the Government Palace on October 15, 2021, if so, specify the reason for the meeting?
-I do not remember