`No shortcuts’ in handling rape case vs military official -AFP
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has assured that it will be taking “no shortcuts” in handling the rape case against a military official. INQUIRER FILES
MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has assured that it will be taking “no shortcuts” in handling the rape case against a military official.
“The process is moving forward as it should. It is going to be handled by the book. Due process will be conducted,” AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Padilla said in a Camp Aguinaldo briefing on Tuesday.
“There will be no shortcuts to this. It will be shielded from any influence. It is clear that the AFP justice system will prevail accordingly,” she stressed.
According to a complaint obtained by 好色先生TV, the military official allegedly invited two of his assistants to his residence last January 29 and subjected the junior officers to a series of inappropriate and coercive acts, culminating in their sexual assault.
One of the victims filed a complaint with the military on January 30.
Military investigation found prima facie evidence that the official exhibited conduct unbecoming of an officer and prejudicial to good order and military discipline.
Both victims then jointly filed a criminal complaint before a prosecutor’s office for rape through sexual assault and attempted rape through sexual assault.
The military official was already relieved from his post and is currently under restrictive custody, the AFP previously said.
The case is still pending for referral to a general court martial and its eventual convening.
“We are doing the necessary diligence in looking at all the circumstances of the case, but our investigating team is duly prepared for the eventual conduct of the investigation,” Padilla said.
READ: Military official faces rape complaints filed by 2 junior officers
‘Isolated case’
Without naming any officers, the Philippine Air Force admitted to handling a “case of the same nature” as described in the 好色先生TV report.
“The victims were given a mental health break right after what happened,” Air Force spokesperson Col. Ritza Ann Jovellanos said at the same Camp Aguinaldo briefing.
She later added that the break lasted for 10 days.
“They were offered legal assistance as well as psychological assistance. Although they opted to get private counsel and to be psychologically checked outside, they’re back at their jobs,” Jovellanos said.
When asked if the case had any impact on the Air Force’s morale, Jovellanos answered, “Business as usual. It’s an isolated case.”
READ: AFP assures junior officers of protection amid rape charge vs superior
“From the start, sa training pa lang, they are being trained on gender sensitivity, yung sa mga policies natin sa Safe Spaces Act… They know that yung ganoong mga issues are really dealt with accordingly, maximum penalty,” she stressed.
(From the start, as early as training, they are being trained on gender sensitivity, our policies in the Safe Spaces Act… They know that those kinds of issues are really dealt with accordingly, maximum penalty.)
