Faster probe on Philippine Air Force junior officer ordered

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Air Force (PAF) leadership has ordered a speedier probe on a junior officer who posted videos on anti-corruption and called for the ouster of President Arroyo on the popular video-sharing site YouTube.

Maj. Gerry Zamudio, PAF spokesman, said the Judge Advocate General’s Office has been given 25 days to determine if there is prima facie evidence to warrant the filing of charges against Capt. Joenel Pogoy for violation of Articles of War 96 and 97 or conduct unbecoming of an officer and gentleman and conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline, respectively.

“Maj. Roper John Estepa of our JAGO conducted the first hearing last March 18, and Capt. Pogoy was given five days to reply to the charges,” he said.

He said JAGO will submit a pre-trial advice to PAF chief Lt. Gen. Oscar Rabena on the first week of April.

This would be the basis for the creation of a court martial that would try Pogoy for his alleged offenses.

Pogoy is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1999.

Zamudio said Pogoy may also have to face the efficiency and separation board to answer charges of immorality for reportedly cohabiting with his girlfriend Marichu Claro despite his being married to another woman.

Zamudio said the two videos, released in September 2008, touched on corruption in the Arroyo administration, particularly in the military. One of the videos included a part that called for the ouster of Mrs. Arroyo.

The spokesman said that during the initial investigation, the officer admitted to having authored the videos, but claimed it was Claro, his common-law wife, who posted them on the Internet.

He said Pogoy claimed that the videos were supposed to be used for his thesis as a student of the squadron officer’s course and that they were only for classroom use.

Claro was said to have posted more anti-government videos last December and January but she has denied the allegation.

Pogoy, who is detained at the PAF headquarters in Pasay City, has also been charged with 12 counts of violation of the Anti-Bouncing Check Law by the Air Cavaliers’ cooperative.

Zamudio said he had information on Pogoy’s alleged links with other military officers involved in past destabilization attempts against the Arroyo administration.

Pogoy also allegedly met with some personalities, including a lawyer, with whom he discussed plans for overthrowing the government.