Army general faces court martial

The Philippine Army has formed a nine-man court martial to try a two-star general accused of corruption, a top official said yesterday.

Army chief Lt. Gen. Victor Ibrado said in a phone interview that the court, which will be headed by Maj. Gen. Daniel Casabar, chief of the Army’s special operations command, will hear the case of Maj. Gen. Jose Barbieto and Staff Sgt. Roseller Echiparre for the alleged anomalous recruitment of candidate soldiers and the unlawful reinstatement of discharged soldiers in the 4th Infantry Division (ID) based in Cagayan de Oro City.

The Army’s Judge Advocate General’s Office (JAGO) earlier recommended charging Barbieto with violating Articles of War 55 (officer making unlawful enlistment), 96 (conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman), 97 (conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline). Echiparre would face the same charges except for AW 96.

The Office of the Ombudsman earlier ordered Barbieto’s suspension after he was relieved as 4th ID chief last March 6 to give way to an impartial investigation.

Barbieto and Echiparre are currently confined in the Army headquarters at Fort Bonifacio under the custody of camp commander Brig. Gen. Ricardo Morales.   – James Mananghaya