Army colonel found guilty in bungled Al-Barka operation

Col. Amikandra Undug, one of the military officials charged for the October 2011 bungled operation in Al-Barka town in Basilan that resulted in the deaths of 19 soldiers, has been found guilty by the general court martial that handled the case. Armed Forces spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos said the general court martial's verdict to Undug, former commander of the elite Special Force Regiment, is recommendatory and shall be forwarded to Armed Forces chief Gen. Jessie Dellosa. “As the final convening authority, Gen. Dellosa may approve or disapprove the sentence imposed by the General Court Martial on Col. Undug,” Burgos said Thursday. Undug and three other Special Forces officers had been charged with violation of the Articles of War 96 (conduct unbecoming an officer and gentleman), 97 (conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline) and 84 (willful or neglect loss, damage or wrongful disposition) in connection with the bungled operation. He was found guilty of violating Article of War 97 but was cleared of the two other charges. Meanwhile, the three other officers were cleared of all the charges. The 19 fatalities, including four officers, were part of the 49 soldiers that figured in the clash with what the military then claimed was a composite team of Abu Sayyaf bandits and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels. Burgos did not mention the sentence imposed on Undug, but said it will be “implemented immediately” upon evaluation and approval. Published reports said Undog will face admonition, reduced in ranking of 50 files below from his present seniority  listing, and suspension from command and duty for six months effective January 8, 2013.   Dellosa was expected to receive the general court martial's recommendation Thursday. — KBK, GMA News