Court-martial of Army general in Davao slay set
FILE PHOTO: Former Presidential Security Group chief Brig. Gen. Jesus Durante
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Army will start this week general court-martial (GCM) proceedings against former Presidential Security Group (PSG) commander Brig. Gen. Jesus Durante III and five other soldiers for their alleged involvement in the killing of Davao businesswoman Yvonette Chua-Plaza.
Army chief Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said Durante, who is currently under the Army’s custody in its headquarters in Taguig City, will be flown to Davao City for the trial along with Col. Michael Licyayo, who was tagged as his accomplice.
Army soldiers Staff Sgt. Gilbert Plaza, Sgt. Delfin Sialsa Jr., Cpl. Adrian Cachero, and Pfc. Rolly Cabal, who are under the Army’s custody in Davao, will also face court martial. Pfc. Romart Longakit, who was earlier reported to be abducted, has remained missing.
Brawner explained that based on the Army’s policy, a court martial is conducted at the major unit of the personnel involved. Durante, who served as PSG chief under former President Rodrigo Duterte, was commander of the 1001st Brigade based in Davao de Oro under the Eastern Mindanao Command when he was charged with a complaint as the alleged mastermind of Plaza’s death.
Maj. Gen. Jose Eriel Niembra, commander of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division, will preside over the GCM, with five other senior officers and one legal officer as members.
Military sources said an arraignment has been set for Tuesday.
The 38-year-old Plaza was gunned down outside her apartment in December last year by one of two men on a motorcycle who used a military-issued firearm.
The results of the Army’s pretrial investigation, which warranted a court martial against Durante and other soldiers came out “sometime last month.” “We faced some delays to start the court martial because there was no available facility where we could restrict them,” Brawner said.
Durante and his fellow accused are facing charges for violation of Articles of War 96 (conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman) and 97 (conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline). Criminal cases for murder, theft and obstruction of justice had been filed against them in a civilian court in January.
The GCM, the military’s highest level trial court, will look into the administrative aspect of the case separately from civilian court trial.
Durante earlier denied his involvement in the death of Plaza, after his name was dragged due to a social media post made by the slain model in April last year, showing bruises and wounds on her face allegedly caused by Durante.
Plaza “was a friend,” Durante said then, and he was “saddened by her demise and condoles with her family and friends.”
