Soldiers allegedly raped by general back to work after mental health break —PAF
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) on Tuesday said the junior officers who accused a general of rape have returned to their duties after a mental wellness break.
'The victims were given actually a mental health break right after nangyari (the incident). They were offered legal assistance as well as psychological assistance as well,' PAF public affairs office acting chief Colonel Ritza Ann Jovellanos said in a press briefing.
'Although they opted to get their private counsel and to be psychologically checked outside. But they're back sa trabaho nila (to their jobs),' she added.
Jovellanos pointed out that the alleged rape incident was an isolated case, saying that PAF personnel are trained to know their rights under the Safe Spaces Act.
'It's an isolated case. We see it as maganda na we know for a fact that the people are now, alam nila 'yung kanilang mga karapatan. So they came out and nagsalita sila kung anong nangyari,' she said.
(It's an isolated case. We see it as good that we know for a fact that the people are aware of their rights. So they came out and talked about what happened.)
'From the start, the personnel are well-trained, indoctrinated on their rights and the policies. For instance, 'yung Safe Spaces Act natin. So alam nila 'yung mga karapatan nila. So wala namang any problem. Again, it's an isolated case,' she added.
(From the start, the personnel are well-trained, indoctrinated on their rights and the policies. For instance, our Safe Spaces Act. So they know their rights. So there's no problem. Again, it's an isolated case.)
The case is now pending the approval of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. for referral to the General Court Martial and its eventual convening.
According to AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla, the senior officer accused of rape is facing investigation for Conduct Unbecoming an Officer and Gentleman as well as Disorders and Neglects Prejudicial to Good Order and Military Discipline under the Articles of War.
Aside from the complaint filed with the AFP, the victims also filed a complaint for rape and attempted rape against the high-ranking military officer with the Prosecutor's Office.
The complainants said in their affidavit that the general asked them to sleep in his room that led to the alleged sexual assault.
But the general denied the allegations against him. He said that the sexual assault was impossible to happen as the complainants could 'overpower' him.
The senior officer has been relieved from his post. He was placed under restrictive custody and confined to his quarters. —AOL, GMA Integrated News
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