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Military arrests former top officer

Military arrests former top officer
Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia
Published: September 16, 2011 10:07 AM GMT
Updated: September 16, 2011 10:14 AM GMT

The military today arrested former comptroller Major General Carlos Garcia to impose a two-year sentence handed to him by a court martial in 2005 for violating two articles of war. The arrest was a demonstration by the leadership of the armed forces to “purge” the military of all forms of anomalies, according to the Philippine Information Agency.  Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and armed forces chief, General Eduardo Oban, said Garcia was taken into custody after President Benigno Aquino approved the sentence on September 9. “We enforced this morning the implementation of the sentence imposed on General Garcia,” Gen Oban said. “We are implementing the sentence so he will be confined [in prison] for two years as prescribed.” Garcia was originally charged for violating Articles of War 96 (conduct unbecoming an officer) and 97 (conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline) for cheating on his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth for 2002 and 2003; and for securing a US green card while still on active service. The former general, who is also facing plunder charges for amassing over 300 million pesos (US$12.6 million), was convicted in December 2005 and sentenced to two years hard labor and discharged from the army. According to Gazmin, military law dictates the sentence should have been given presidential approval, but former president Gloria Arroyo never gave it. Brigadier General Gilberto Roa, the military’s judge advocate- general, said Garcia will be held at the National Bilibid prison in Muntinlupa City.

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