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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Army OKs court martial for Durante, 6 others over Davao model's slay

Army OKs court martial for Durante, 6 others over Davao model's slay

Published Apr 18, 2023 06:42 am
Brig. Gen. Jesus Durante III, former commander of the Philippine Army’s (PA) 1001st Infantry Brigade, and six other military personnel will face a general court martial this week due to their alleged involvement in the killing of model and businesswoman Yvonette Chua Plaza in Davao City last year. (Brig. Gen. Jesus Durante III / File photo by Malacanang) Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., PA commanding general, approved the administrative charges filed against Durante and his subordinates identified as Col. Michael Licyayo, former deputy commander of 1001st Infantry Brigade; Staff Sergeant Gilbert Plaza; Sgt. Delfin Sialsa Jr.; Corporals Adrian Cachero and Rolly Cabal; and Private First Class Romark Longakit. A general court martial is the military’s highest level trial court that is responsible for trying service members for serious crimes. The general court martial for the Durante et al case will be chaired by the Court President, Maj. Gen. Jose Eriel Niembra, who is the current commander of the 10th Infantry Division (10ID). Durante and Licyayo were transferred from the PA Headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City to the Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) headquarters at Camp Panacan in Davao City on Monday, April 17, for the administrative military proceeding.  On the other hand, Plaza, Sialsa, Cachero, and Cabal are under the custody of the Army in Davao City while Longakit had been absent without official leave (AWOL). The general court martial is expected to convene “tomorrow or anytime this week,” Col. Xerxes Trinidad, PA spokesperson, said on Monday night.

Administrative charges

 Durante and Licyayo were charged for violation of Article of War 96 which refers to “conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman” while the five other enlisted personnel were charged for violation of Article of War 97 which refers to “all disorders and neglects to the prejudice of good order and military discipline and all conduct of nature to bring discredit upon the military service.” The charges were approved by Brawner based on the recommendation of the Army’s Judge Advocate General Office. “The Philippine Army will uphold the highest form of discipline amongst its personnel in the performance of its mandate of serving the people and securing the land,” Trinidad said. “The Army does not tolerate wrongdoings and criminal acts of any soldier, be they officers or enlisted personnel,” he noted. The administrative cases are separate from the criminal raps filed against the suspects in a civilian court. Durante, who rose to the ranks after becoming the head of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) under the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte, was tagged as the alleged mastermind in the killing of Chua-Plaza outside her residence in Davao City on Dec. 29. The model-businesswoman was shot dead by motorcycle-riding gunmen. Police investigators said it was established that Durante and Plaza had an intimate relationship as they consider jealousy as a possible motive behind the killing. Plaza also allegedly held a “sensitive information” that she intended to use to blackmail Durante, police added. Durante had previously denied the allegations against him and his subordinates.

Related Tags

Brig. Gen. Jesus Durante III Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. Yvonne Chua Plaza Philippine Army
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