Marilyn Cahatol

Helicopters including one carrying President Rodrigo Duterte are seen behind newly delivered air assets of the Philippine Air Force at the Haribon Hangar in Clark Air Base, Pampanga on Friday, February 12, 2021. The air assets include one C-130H cargo plane, six S70i Blackhawk utility helicopters, six A-29B Super Tucanos, six Hermes 900 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and 4 Hermes 450 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.

Article (news)

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:604px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175013846966420210212-duterte-air-assets-inspection-mnib-12.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Helicopters including one carrying President Rodrigo Duterte are seen behind newly delivered air assets of the Philippine Air Force at the Haribon Hangar in Clark Air Base, Pampanga on Friday, February 12, 2021. The air assets include one C-130H cargo plane, six S70i Blackhawk utility helicopters, six A-29B Super Tucanos, six Hermes 900 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and 4 Hermes 450 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. </span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The military said Tuesday a special general court martial has convened to determine the guilt of an Air Force major general accused of sexual assault by two junior officers.</p><p>“Investigations and trials are ongoing as of this time,” Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla told reporters in a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City. </p><p>The alleged sexual assault happened at the Fernando Air Base in Lipa City, Batangas, on June 29.</p><p>CCTV footage obtained by ABS-CBN News showed that a black van arrived at the air base around 5:30 a.m, carrying Philippine Air Force (PAF) personnel returning from a night-out.</p><p>Among them was the major general, who had to be assisted by soldiers to his quarters.</p><p>Almost three hours later, another clip showed two male soldiers coming out of the official’s quarters in tears.</p><p>Shortly after, their lieutenant arrived, to whom they reported what had happened.</p><p>The two claimed that the major general took advantage of them.</p><p>The following day, the soldiers filed a complaint with the military&#x27;s Office of Ethical Standards and Public Accountability (OESPA). </p><p>The complainants said in their affidavit that the major general ordered them to sleep in his quarters. This was when the sexual assault allegedly took place.</p><p>“Respondent said the three of them would share the same bed. Afterwards, Respondent started to undress himself and asked the two what they were still doing,&quot; the complainants said in their affidavit.</p><p>The complainants explained they were ordered to do sexual things with the respondent, while one PAF personnel, pretending to be asleep, was secretly recording the incident.</p><p>The complainants experienced severe trauma and sought help from lawyers under the Supreme Court’s Unified Legal Aid Service (ULAS).</p><p>The major general denied the allegations in his counter-affidavit and claimed the two soldiers were strong enough to overpower him.</p><p>He added that he did not possess any firearm or bladed weapon, nor did he use force or issue threats. </p><p>“They could have easily left the room, as they had free access to the door, or used force to prevent the unlawful act,” the major general said in his counter-affidavit.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/5/22/2-air-force-personnel-file-rape-attempted-rape-charges-vs-major-general-2026">2 Air Force personnel file rape, attempted rape charges vs major general</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>GENERAL COURT MARTIAL</strong></div><div><strong> </strong></div><p>The two-star general is facing trial under Articles of War 96 (Conduct Unbecoming an Officer and a Gentleman) and 97 (Conduct Prejudicial to Good Order and Military Discipline).</p><p>According to Padilla, the PAF official remains under military custody.</p><p>“Dito naman sa AFP, we are one naman. This is one AFP. So, wherever, kung saan man siya i-house, that’s still part of the AFP, whether it’s going to be in the PAF or in the AFP, it’s all the same,” she said.</p><p>The proceedings of the general court martial are expected to be completed within six months, but this may be extended depending on the complexity of the case, availability of witnesses, and legal motions filed by the parties involved.</p><p>Aside from the administrative charges, the two PAF personnel also formally filed complaints for rape through sexual assault and attempted rape through sexual assault against the major general before the Office of the City Prosecutor in Lipa City.</p><p>Padilla said the military would cooperate should a civilian court issue a warrant of arrest, commitment order or any legal directive against the PAF official.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/5/20/paf-says-it-does-not-condone-misconduct-amid-rape-allegations-1729">PAF says it does not condone misconduct amid rape allegations vs officer</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/j9hnzHBgY-U?si=iXffFB6r8SMoA_CR" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>The military said Tuesday a special general court martial has convened to determine the guilt of an Air Force major general accused of sexual assault by two junior officers.</p>

The military said Tuesday a special general court martial has convened to determine the guilt of an Air Force major general accused of sexual assault by two junior officers.

General court martial convenes over Air Force sexual assault case: AFP

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General court martial convenes over Air Force sexual assault case: AFP

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jun 17, 2025 01:59 PM PHT

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sexual assault

rape

attempted rape

general court martial

Philippine Air Force

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