Army general takes leave amid corruption probe

(Updated 12:42 p.m.) A Philippine Army two-star general has taken a leave of absence pending investigation on his alleged mismanagement of personnel and resources, a military spokesman said Friday. Army spokesman Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres said Maj. Gen. Jose Barbieto is on leave as commander of the 4th Infantry Division based in Cagayan de Oro City. Barbieto is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) class of 1974, which includes Armed Forces chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr and PNP chief Director General Avelino Razon Jr. He becomes the highest military officer to be investigated for graft after then Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia (PMA 1971) was subjected to court martial proceedings in 2004. Garcia was subsequently convicted for violating Articles of War 96 (conduct unbecoming an officer and gentleman) and 97 (conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline). Army chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano said Barbieto would be investigated regardless of his rank. "This is unprecedented. Hindi lamang lip service ang reforms. Regardless of rank of or position, we will not condone malpractice and abuses," Yano told reporters in a chance interview at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. Torres said information reaching the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio have it that Barbieto and other personnel under his command had allegedly committed the following: * Extortion from candidate soldier applicants and those applying for reinstatement; * Mismanagement of CAFGU funds; and * Conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman. "This is being done as part of a process to resolve issues promptly. It is expected that this course of action would result to either penalizing those who have transgressed existing military laws or clear the names of military personnel incriminated in the alleged offenses," Torres said in a statement. Torres said that Brig. Gen. Roland Rodriguez had been designated as general-officer-in-charge of the 4th ID being the incumbent assistant division commander. On Wednesday, Yano went to Cagayan de Oro and the 52nd Engineer Brigade headquarters in Camp Natividad in Manolo Fortich town in Bukidnon to "consolidate his forces affected by the reports." The Army statement said Yano "urged his officers and men to stay focused on their mission as proper actions are being done by the authorities." Yano had been named as incoming chief of staff when Esperon ends his extended tour of duty on May 9. Esperon was originally scheduled to retire last February 9. "He (Yano) also took the opportunity to rally the Army troops to stay united and focused on their jobs amid the ‘political noise’ in Metro Manila. He encouraged the troops to be politically aware of the issues, have opinions, but keep these to themselves," the statement said. The statement added that should the soldiers find the organizational lines and policies untenable, "they should leave the organization." - GMANews.TV