Durante, 6 others in Plaza slay to face court martial

The Philippine Army (PA) will begin court martial proceedings this week against Brigadier General Jesus Durante III, 1001st Brigade deputy commander Colonel Michael Licyayo, and five other personnel over their alleged involvement in the killing of model and businesswoman Yvonette Plaza last year.

“The Army Commanding General Lieutenant Romeo S. Brawner Jr. has approved the administrative charges against them and subsequently referred said case to the General Court Martial (GCM),” the Army said.

Durante and Licyayo are now under the custody of the Eastern Mindanao Command headquarters in Camp Pandacan in Davao City for the “purpose of the administrative military proceeding which is expected to convene tomorrow or anytime this week," the Army added.

“The military official and enlisted personnel were charged with violation of Article of War 96, which refers to conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman, and Article of War 97, which refers to all disorders and neglects to the prejudice of good order and military discipline and all conduct of a nature to bring discredit upon the military service,” it said.

“The Philippine Army will uphold the highest form of discipline amongst its personnel in the performance of its mandate of serving the people and securing the land. The Army does not tolerate wrongdoings and criminal acts of any soldier, be they officer or enlisted personnel,” it added.

The GMC is currently headed by the 10th Infantry Division (10ID) Commander Major General Jose Eriel Niembra.

Plaza was found bloodied and lifeless outside her residence in Davao City on December 28, 2022. A screenshot of CCTV footage showed one of the suspects pointing a gun at the businesswoman while the other was waiting on their getaway motorcycle.

In January, police named Durante as the mastermind in her killing while Licyayo was pinpointed as the one who gave the alleged gunmen — previously identified as Corporal Adrian Cashero and Private First Class Delfin Sialsa — the victim’s address.

Durante previously denied involvement and said his name was being dragged into the fatal shooting because of a Facebook item the victim posted in April 2022.

The 10ID also conducted its own investigation into the incident.—LDF, GMA Integrated News