Two Philippine Air Force (PAF) personnel who accused a major general of rape have returned to work following a mental health wellness break.
According to Col. Ritza Ann Jovellanos, acting chief of the PAF Public Affairs Office, the personnel were granted a 10-day leave immediately after the alleged incident on January 29.
“The victims were given a mental health break right after the incident. They were offered legal assistance as well as psychological assistance, although they opted to get their private counsel and to be psychologically checked outside. But they are back to work,” Jovellanos told reporters in a media briefing at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Tuesday.
“As to the ambiance in the PAF, it is business as usual. It’s an isolated case,” she added.
“From the get-go, from the start, the personnel are well-trained, indoctrinated on their rights, on their policies. For instance, the R.A. (Republic Act) 1313 or our Safe Spaces Act. So, they know their rights.”
A CCTV footage from January 29 showed a black van arriving at Fernando Air Base, Lipa City, around 5:30 a.m., carrying PAF personnel returning from a night out. Among them was a major general who had to be assisted to his quarters.
Nearly three hours later, two male soldiers were seen leaving the official’s quarters visibly in tears. They reported to their lieutenant that the major general had taken advantage of them.
The following day, the soldiers filed a formal complaint with the Office of Ethical Standards and Public Accountability (OESPA) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
“Within the AFP, the case progressed following the report that such an incident occurred—the Air Force acted immediately and a request for a general court martial was made,” Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla said.
The military’s OESPA found prima facie evidence to subject the PAF official to a pre-trial investigation.
According to Padilla, the case is still pending the approval of AFP chief of staff General Romeo Brawner Jr., who will serve as the convening authority for the General Court Martial (GCM) proceedings.
“As to the case, the process is moving forward as it should. It is going to be handled by the book. Due process will be conducted and there will be no shortcuts to this. It will be shielded from any influence, and it is clear that the AFP justice system will prevail accordingly,” the military spokesperson said.
“For any case, we have a case build-up. We are also doing necessary diligence in looking at all the circumstances of the case, but we are prepared naman our team, our investigating team, for the eventual conduct of the investigation,” she continued.
The two-star general is set to face trial under Articles of War 96 (Conduct Unbecoming an Officer and a Gentleman) and 97 (Conduct Prejudicial to Good Order and Military Discipline).
According to the AFP, the senior official was promptly relieved of his position following the filing of complaints and is currently under house arrest within a military camp.
In addition to the administrative charges, the two PAF personnel have formally lodged criminal complaints against the major general, accusing him of rape through sexual assault and attempted rape through sexual assault.
These cases have been filed with the Office of the City Prosecutor in Lipa City.
