Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 16) — Relieved Brigadier General Jesus Durante III is now facing charges for violation of two Articles of War after being linked to the murder of a Davao-based businesswoman and model in December last year, the Philippine Army said.
These are Article 96 or \”conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman,\” and Article 97 or \”conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline,\” Army chief Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. told reporters.
Charged along with Durante was his deputy, Col. Michael Licyayo, Brawner added.
\”The pre-trial investigation is still ongoing, and we already gave a copy of the charges to both Gen. Durante and Col. Licyayo, and they have given their counter affidavits already,\” he said.
Brawner also said the army’s Judge Advocate General and the Provost Marshal are now studying the respondents’ counter affidavits.
Police earlier tagged Durante – who served as Presidential Security Group chief during the Duterte administration – as the alleged mastermind in the murder of Yvonette \”Yvonne\” Chua Plaza.
He was relieved as commander of the 1001st Infantry Brigade in Davao de Oro after being implicated in the crime.
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Authorities also identified Licyayo and other enlisted personnel as accomplices.
Described as a \”crime of passion,\” police investigators said Durante had an affair with Plaza and ordered her killing after she tried to blackmail him.
Durante has denied this accusation — calling Plaza a “close friend.”
The army earlier said it is looking for members of a general court martial that would try Durante and the other suspects.
