Army probers push court martial vs general, aide
04/21/2008 | 03:09 PM
MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Army investigators have recommended that Maj. Gen. Jose Barbieto and SSgt. Roseller Echipare undergo court martial proceedings on allegations of personnel and resource mismanagement, a military statement said Monday.
Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres, Army spokesman, said a pre-trial investigation found prima facie evidence against Barbieto for violations of Article of War 55 (officer making unlawful enlistment), AW 96 (conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman), and AW 97 (conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline).
Except for AW 96, Echipare also faces the same violations as those of Barbieto's Torres said.
At present, Barbieto and Echipare are confined and restricted to quarters at the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City. Both are under the custody of Brig. Gen. Ricardo Morales, the headquarters' camp commander.
It can be recalled that their cases stemmed from the alleged anomalous recruitment of candidate soldiers and the unlawful reinstatement of discharged soldiers in the 4th Infantry Division based in Cagayan de Oro City.
Barbieto is formerly the commanding general of the 4th ID.
"These illegal actions were carried out allegedly with utter disregard to the existing Army policies and regulations governing recruitment and the reinstatement of soldiers in exchange for financial gains," Torres said.
Torres said that in consideration of the rank of the accused, the Army Judge Advocate had recommended that their cases be immediately forwarded to the AFP General Headquarters for the conduct of General Court Martial proceedings.
Under the Articles of War, general court martial for general and flag officers are convened at General Headquarters with the chief of staff as the convening authority.
Incidentally, Barbieto is a classmate of retiring Armed Forces chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) class of 1974.
Esperon is to end his extended tour of duty on May 9. He was originally scheduled to retire on February 9.
Taking over Esperon's post is Army commanding general Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano. - GMANews.TV
Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres, Army spokesman, said a pre-trial investigation found prima facie evidence against Barbieto for violations of Article of War 55 (officer making unlawful enlistment), AW 96 (conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman), and AW 97 (conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline).
Except for AW 96, Echipare also faces the same violations as those of Barbieto's Torres said.
At present, Barbieto and Echipare are confined and restricted to quarters at the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City. Both are under the custody of Brig. Gen. Ricardo Morales, the headquarters' camp commander.
It can be recalled that their cases stemmed from the alleged anomalous recruitment of candidate soldiers and the unlawful reinstatement of discharged soldiers in the 4th Infantry Division based in Cagayan de Oro City.
Barbieto is formerly the commanding general of the 4th ID.
"These illegal actions were carried out allegedly with utter disregard to the existing Army policies and regulations governing recruitment and the reinstatement of soldiers in exchange for financial gains," Torres said.
Torres said that in consideration of the rank of the accused, the Army Judge Advocate had recommended that their cases be immediately forwarded to the AFP General Headquarters for the conduct of General Court Martial proceedings.
Under the Articles of War, general court martial for general and flag officers are convened at General Headquarters with the chief of staff as the convening authority.
Incidentally, Barbieto is a classmate of retiring Armed Forces chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) class of 1974.
Esperon is to end his extended tour of duty on May 9. He was originally scheduled to retire on February 9.
Taking over Esperon's post is Army commanding general Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano. - GMANews.TV
