The Philippine Army (PA) has served charges for violation of two Articles of War against two of its ranking officials who were tagged in the killing of a Davao City-based model-businesswoman in December last year.

Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., PA commanding general, said a copy of the charges for violation of Article of War 96 (conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman) and 97 (conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline) were served against Brig. Gen. Jesus Durante III and Col. Michael Licyayo.

Durante, who was relieved as the commander of the 1001st Infantry Brigade, was tagged as the mastermind in the killing of his rumored lover, Yvonette Chua Plaza, last Dec. 28. Meanwhile, Licyayo, erstwhile deputy commander of the 1001st Infantry Brigade, was named as one of the respondents in the case. Both Durante and Licyayo were placed under the custody of the Army Headquarters at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City.

“The pre-trial investigation is still ongoing and we already gave a copy of the charges to both General Durante and Colonel Licyayo. They have both given their counter-affidavits already,” Brawner said.

The service of the charges was part of the pre-trial investigation being conducted by the Army.

Brawner said the Army’s Provost Marshall and Judge Advocate General have begun studying the counter-affidavits of Durante and Licyayo. After their assessment, the Provost Marshall and Judge Advocate General will make a recommendation to the Army chief whether the case would warrant a court martial or the charges shall be dismissed.

A court martial is a judicial court formed to try members of the armed service who are accused of administrative offenses against the military law. It is different from a civilian court where their criminal offenses are tried.

“There might be other charges also not just against these two officers but also against the enlisted personnel. We are still in the phase where we are conducting the initial investigation or pre-trial investigation,” Brawner said.

Criminal cases for murder, theft, and obstruction of justice were filed by the Philippine National Police (PNP) in a civilian court last month against the 10 suspects in the Plaza murder case. Aside from Durante and Licyayo, named respondents to the case were Staff Sergeants Gilbert Plaza and Delfin Llarenas Sialsa Jr.; Corporal Adrian N. Cachero; Privates First Class Rolly Cabal and Romart Longakit; civilian Noel H. Japitan, a certain alias “Junior,” and one “Master Sergeant.”

Initial investigation by the PNP showed that among the motives being considered was jealousy as Plaza had an “intimate relationship” with Durante and held a “sensitive information” that she allegedly used to blackmail the general.