Army general now undergoing pre-trial stage for alleged extortion in Mindanao

By Ronron
March 12, 2008

Army Maj. Gen. Jose Barbieto is now subject of a pre-trial investigation (PTI) at the Philippine Army headquarters for his alleged extortion activities back at the 4th Infantry Division based in Cagayan de Oro City where he last served.

Army chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano said Wednesday that a fact-finding probe of the Army Inspector General found merit in the complaint against Barbieto, prompting the elevation of the case to the PTI level to be conducted by the Judge Advocate General’s Office (JAGO).

“We are now in the stage of pre-trial investigation. It is being conducted this week. Here, we will determine if it warrants the conduct of court martial proceedings… If it warrants the conduct of court martial, then we will do that,” Yano said.

He said it is a “pre-trial investigation on possible charges of conduct unbecoming and other offenses that may be found.”

Yano said that as part of due process, Barbieto will be given the chance to submit his counter-affidavit.

But Yano clarified that Barbieto is not yet restricted or in detention because the regulations do not call for it yet.

Barbieto was already suspended by the Philippine Army leadership upon the recommendation of the Ombudsman, which conducted a parallel probe on the same allegations.

Barbieto is being accused of collecting fees from soldier applicants in Mindanao when he was 4th ID commander./DMS