MANILA, Philippines — Retired major General Carlos P. Garcia was arrested Friday morning at his residence, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said.
Retired major General Carlos P. Garcia. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO…
In the media forum organized by the Philippine Information Agency, Gazmin said that the arrest was made in accordance with the verdict issued by the military court on charges of violation of Articles of War 96 and 97.
In the same forum, Armed Forces Chief General Eduardo Oban said that at 7 a.m., personnel from the miitary’s provost martial, the judge advocate general, military police and Philippine National Police were deployed to Garcia’s residence in Quezon City.
At 8:30 a.m., the arrest was made and at 9 a.m., the retired general was turned over to the Armed Forces’ Intelligence Service, Camp Aguinaldo.
Garcia, formerly a comptroller of the Armed Forces, was found guilty for charges of misappropriation of military funds.
Garcia had a plea bargain with the Ombudsman for his graft charges.
Gazmin added that though the military court issued the verdict in 2006, the president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo did not sign the confirmation letter but which President Benigno Aquino III signed.
Oban added that Garcia did not resist arrest.
Article of War 96 is “conduct unbecoming of an officer and gentleman for failing to disclose/declare all his existing assets in 2002 and 2003 and for holding the status of an immigrant or permanent resident of the United States thereby causing dishonor to the military profession.”
Article of War 97, meanwhile is “conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline for making untruthful statements under oath his true assets in his 2002 and 2003.”
The sentence, which was confirmed by President Benigno Aquino III last September 9, dictates that Garcia be confined for a period of two years in a penitentiary.
In a separate interview, Judge Advocate General Brigadier General Gilberto Roa said that Garcia would be moved to the Nation Bilibid Prison since the military court ruled that sentences longer than one year will be served in the NBP. He added that Garcia would be moved after some more proceedings like medical check-up. However, Roa did not give an exact date.
When asked if there were other military officials facing similar charges as Garcia, Roa said: “There are some.”
With a report from Kristine Alave, Inquirer
Originally posted at 10:28 am | Friday, Sep. 16, 2011