The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) convened a special general court martial to hear the case of a Philippine Air Force (PAF) major general who was accused of sexually assaulting his two junior officers early this year.
"We have convened a special general court-martial for the case stated. And investigations and trials are ongoing as of this time," AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Padilla told reporters on Tuesday.
"This is in tandem with a civilian court. So, in terms of the military, whatever will be required from our civilian courts, the military will cooperate accordingly," she added.
As the jurisdiction of the case was already turned over by the PAF to the headquarters to the AFP’s Office of Ethical Standards and Public Accountability, Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo, Philippine Air Force spokesperson assures that the organization "will fully cooperate with whatever requirements" that will be required by the court.
“Now, we respect whatever proceedings are being conducted right now and we will fully cooperate with whatever requirements they may have to justly and fairly try the case,” she said.
Padilla said the suspect remains under the custody of the armed forces. Robina Asido/DMS