The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) pledged to protect two junior officers, who filed a rape complaint against a high-ranking military official, ensuring they are shielded from any form of intimidation during the investigation.
The AFP also emphasized its commitment to addressing “all forms of misconduct and breaches of military discipline with utmost seriousness.”
“The AFP assures the complainants that their rights are fully protected and that they are being safeguarded from any form of intimidation or undue influence throughout the process,” it said in a statement on Tuesday.
“We remain firmly committed to due process, transparency, and accountability under the military justice system. These principles serve as the foundation of our pursuit of truth and justice while ensuring fairness to all parties concerned,” it added.
An earlier report from INQUIRER.net disclosed that two junior officers filed a complaint with the Prosecutor’s Office against an unnamed senior military official accused of sexual assault earlier this year. Both officers served as assistants in the official’s office.
According to the complaint, the assault took place on January 29, following an event that extended into the early hours of the next day.
The two officers accompanied the official to his residence, where they were allegedly subjected to a series of inappropriate and coercive actions, culminating in sexual assault.
A joint criminal complaint for rape through sexual assault and attempted rape through sexual assault was filed after a prior military investigation found prima facie evidence of misconduct, including behavior unbecoming of an officer and actions prejudicial to good order and military discipline.
In response, the AFP confirmed that the senior official has been relieved of his duties and is currently under restrictive custody.
“A pre-trial investigation was subsequently conducted and has since been completed. The case is now pending the approval of the convening authority for referral to a General Court Martial and its eventual convening,” it added.
In a separate statement, the Philippine Air Force admitted handling a “case of the same nature” as described in the report, which remains under investigation with the AFP.
“To protect the integrity of the ongoing proceedings and safeguard the privacy of those involved, the PAF will respectfully refrain from making further comments regarding this issue,” it added.
The Air Force said it “does not condone any form of misconduct” and “remains committed to upholding the highest standards of discipline, professionalism, and respect among our personnel.”