Former Presidential Security Group commander Brig. Gen. Jesus Durante III and five other soldiers are still undergoing general court-martial proceedings by the military, Philippine Army chief Lt.Gen. Roy Galido said Thursday.
"He is given the due process. We are doing the law enforcement in accordance with laws of the military," Galido told reporters in a press conference at the Philippine Army's headquarters in Fort Bonifacio Taguig City.
Asked as to when the results of proceedings will come out, Galido said: "We just have to follow the due process. The court martial has convened several times already."
Galido noted that there are also military processes that need to be followed and that the court martial proceeding takes time.
Unlike the civilian court proceedings, he added, the military law shall prevail over the case of Durante and his cohorts.
Durante and his supposed accomplice, Col. Michael Licyayo, were tagged in the murder of model and businesswoman Yvonette Chua Plaza.
Among other soldiers who faced court martial are Staff Sgt. Gilbert Plaza, Sgt. Delfin Sialsa Jr., Cpl. Adrian Cachero, and Pfc. Rolly Cabal.
Previously, Army Provost Marshal Col. Randy Ramonte said the Office of the Army Provost Marshal, has already completed its investigation report and has submitted it to the Office of the Army Judge Advocate for legal review, as of 14 February this year.
Following the completion of the said legal review, the report will be forwarded, through official channels to the Commanding General of the Philippine Army, "for his information and decision."
The Violations of Articles of War 96 and 97—refer to "conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman and conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline, respectively, are actually grave offenses in the military that may merit separation from the service and other penalties, including a jail sentence, depending on the decision of the general court-martial."
Meanwhile, Galindo said the retooling of the soldiers amid the involvement of discharged military personnel in "heinous crimes" is now being implemented.
He said the army is always investing in the discipline of the soldiers.
"It is reinforcing. We are implementing and we are really bent on implementing discipline [among our ranks]," he stressed.
