ITO ang isa sa mga concern ng abogado ng dalawang Philippine Air Force personnel na umano’y naging biktima ng rape at attempted rape ng isang PAF Major General.

Ayon kay Atty. Nico Robert Martin, abogado ng dalawang junior officers ng Air Force na nakararanas ng severe trauma at depression, lumapit at humingi ng tulong ang mga ito sa mga abogado na nasa ilalim ng Unified Legal Aid Service (ULAS) ng Supreme Court.

“My clients were diagnosed with stress disorder and depression. After the incident, they were seen by a psychiatrist. Right now, they are paying for their own therapy sessions para makatulong sa mental health nila,” pahayag ni Atty. Martin.

Sa panayam ng media at mga kumalat na video sa social media, nihayag ni Atty Martin, “We are very concerned about this. They are diagnosed with this but they are still flying planes in Lipa. We would like to ask for the help of the AFP to better address the situation.”

Nabatid na nakapaghain na ng formal complaint ang dalawang sundalo ng kasong rape through sexual assault and attempted rape through sexual assault laban sa isang two-star or major general sa Office of the City Prosecutor sa Lipa City, Batangas.

“It’s another remedy provided for by law,” paliwanag pa ng abogado. “They played two roles: they were both military and citizens of the Republic. They can also file a criminal case. We are now undergoing a preliminary investigation.”

Tahasang namang itinanggi ng nasabing senior military official ang akusasyon laban sa kanya.

Paliwanag nito, walang katotohanan ang mga ibinibintang laban sa kanya, kapwa malakas umano ang dalawang sundalo at kayang-kaya siyang labanan ng dalawa at kaya rin umano nilang lumabas ng kwarto kung gugustuhin nila.

“They could have easily left the room, as they had free access to the door, or used force to prevent the unlawful act,” ayon sa counter affidavit ng major general.

Nabatid na inaantabayanan na lamang ang approval ni AFP chief of staff General Romeo Brawner Jr., na siyang convening authority, para sa posibleng General Court Martial (GCM) proceedings.

“For review na po siya and signature ng ating chief of staff. Siya rin ang ating convening authority,” paliwanag ni Col. Francel Margareth Padilla, ang AFP Spokesperson.

Una rito, naglabas muna ang Office of Ethical Standards and Public Accountability (OESPA) ng kanilang finding sa isinagawang preliminary probe at may nakita umanong sufficient evidence laban sa opisyal sa isinagawang initial investigation.

“The totality of Respondent’s actions violates moral, ethical, and professional standards of military officers. His conduct demonstrates a lack of respect for others and an abuse of authority bringing dishonor to the military profession,” ayon sa OESPA report na inilabas noong Pebrero 26, 2025 kaya nauwi ito sa paghahain ng charge sheet sa Office of the Judge Advocate General of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (OJAG).

(JESSE KABEL RUIZ)