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THE Philippine Army on Wednesday said it has begun
its separate investigation on Major General Jose Barbieto,
Commanding General of the Philippine Army’s Fourth Infantry
Division, who was earlier ordered suspended by the Office of the
Ombudsman in connection with his alleged involvement in a scam where
applicants joining the army were extorted.
Lt. General Alexander Yano,
Philippine Army Commanding General, said they have started the
pre-trial investigation this week, which is separate from the
investigation being conducted by the Ombudsman.
“We are now in the stage of
pretrial investigation, to determine if the case warrants the
conduct of court martial proceedings,” Yano told reporters.
Barbieto was suspended by the
Ombudsman in connection with the complaint filed by several
personnel of the Army’s Fourth Infantry Division based in Cagayan
de Oro, accusing the General and Staff Sergeant Roseller Echepare of
extorting money from applicants who wanted to join the Army.
The Philippine Army also ordered
the relief of Barbieto as division commander and designated Brig
Gen. Roland Rodriguez as Officer-In-Charge.
The Philippine Army Chief
guarantees that Barbieto will be given due process or a chance to
defend himself and clear his name.
--Jefferson Antiporda
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