General facing plunder raps heads Army training school

MANILA, Philippines – A veteran in Mindanao conflict was chosen to lead the Army’s training school.

Brigadier General Benito Antonio de Leon took over as the commander of Training and Doctrine Command in a ceremony Tuesday at Camp O’Donnell in Capas, Tarlac, said Army spokesman Major Harold Cabunoc.

He replaced Major General Joel Ibanez who was earlier installed as Commander of the Army’s 5th Infantry Division that holds jurisdiction of northern Luzon.

De Leon spent most of his combat duties in Mindanao, including the “all-out war” against MILF rebels during the time of President Joseph Estrada.

He was also accused of plunder by his classmate or mistah at the Philippine Military Academy, former AFP budget officer retired Ltc George Rabusa, for his alleged involvement in military fund misuse during the time of AFP Chief General Roy Cimatu in 2002. The case is still pending before the Ombudsman.