The military’s General Court Martial has now convened to hear the sexual assault case filed against a high-ranking official in the Philippine Air Force (PAF), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Tuesday.
In a press conference at Camp Aguinaldo, AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said the military’s investigation into the case is currently ongoing.
“We have convened a special general court-martial for the case stated. The investigations and trials are ongoing as of this time,” she said.
Padilla said the AFP is closely monitoring the progress of the case.
“We’ll keep you posted once the final results of the case and verdict have been released,” she further told Defense reporters.
Padilla said the PAF official remains in the custody of the AFP, pending the outcome of proceedings in civilian courts where separate sexual assault cases have been filed.
“This is in tandem with a civilian court. So, in terms of the military, whatever is required by the civilian courts, the military will cooperate accordingly,” she noted.
Padilla gave assurance that the military would fully cooperate if a civilian court issued a warrant of arrest, commitment order, or any other legal directive against the PAF’s senior official.
The alleged sexual assault occurred on 29 June at Fernando Air Base in Lipa City, Batangas.
CCTV footage obtained by the media shows a black van arriving at the base around 5:30 a.m., carrying Philippine Air Force (PAF) personnel reportedly returning from a night out.
Among them was the major general, who appeared to be intoxicated and needed assistance from fellow soldiers to reach his quarters.
Nearly three hours later, another CCTV clip showed two male soldiers emerging from the official’s quarters in tears.
Shortly afterward, their lieutenant arrived, and they immediately reported the incident.
The two junior officers alleged that the major general had taken advantage of them.
The following day, they filed a formal complaint with the Armed Forces’ Office of Ethical Standards and Public Accountability (OESPA).
According to the complainants’ affidavit, the major general instructed them to sleep in his quarters, where the alleged sexual assault occurred.
The complainants alleged that the respondent told them they would all have to share a single bed. Then he began undressing and asked why the two junior officers were “still standing there.”
The complainants stated that they were ordered to engage in sexual acts with the respondent, while a PAF personnel, pretending to be asleep, secretly recorded the incident.
In their affidavit, the complainants stated that they endured severe trauma and sought help from lawyers through the Supreme Court’s Unified Legal Aid Service (ULAS).
In his counter-affidavit, the major general denied the allegations and asserted that the two soldiers were strong enough to overpower him.
He also denied possessing any firearm or bladed weapon and maintained that he neither used force nor issued threats against the complainants.
The military official stressed that the complainants “could have easily left the room as they had free access to the door, or used force to prevent the unlawful act.”
The accused senior military official is facing trial under Articles of War 96 (Conduct Unbecoming of an Officer and a Gentleman) and 97 (Conduct Prejudicial to Good Order and Military Discipline).
Padilla noted that Articles of War 96 and 97 cover rape through sexual assault for one complainant and attempted rape through sexual assault, respectively.
The general court-martial proceedings are expected to conclude within six months.
Although this timeframe may be extended depending on the case’s complexity, the availability of witnesses, and any legal motions filed by the parties involved.
In addition to the administrative charges within the AFP, the two PAF personnel have also formally filed complaints of rape through sexual assault and attempted rape through sexual assault against the major general before the Office of the City Prosecutor in Lipa City.