Court martial for former Abra batallion commander

The Philippine Army had convened a General Court Martial for its former battalion commander in Abra for allegedly ordering his men to kill a local lady official and her entire family last year.

Army chief Lt. Gen. Generoso Senga also ordered that the accused officer, Lt. Col. Noel Mislang, be placed under camp restriction at the headquarters of the 5th Infantry Division in Gamu, Isabela, following reports that he is often seen outside the camp.

Mislang was relieved as battalion commander of the Army’s 41st Infantry Battalion based in Abra last year and was placed under investigation after two of his men, the late Cpl. Antonio Rosqueta and Corporal Eduardo Barcelona, jointly lodged a complaint before higher Army authorities over his order, for them to assassinate Langayan, Abra Mayor Cecilia Luna and members of her family.

Maj. Bartolome Bacarro, Army spokesman, said Mislang is currently undergoing pre-trial investigation for violating Articles of War No. 96 and Articles of No. 97 for conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman and conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline. — Jaime Laude