Marines officer cleared
on Erap bio-pic charge

A MILITARY tribunal has dismissed two of three charges filed against a Marines lieutenant who allegedly circulated copies of "Ang Mabuhay para sa Masa" compact discs depicting the life of former President Joseph Estrada.

First Lt. Artemio Raymundo was charged in 2006 with violating Articles of War 96 (conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman), 97 (conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline) and 64 (disrespect for a superior officer).

Officials earlier said Raymundo turned unruly after his superiors ordered him to stop distributing the CDs which had been rated "X" by the Movie and Television Regulatory and Classification Board.

He defied the order and was later detained and charged.

The military banned the distribution of the video CD among its officers because there was a "political color" to it.

The first two charges were dropped Friday during the court proceedings, said Navy spokesman Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo.

"His lawyer filed a motion to declare Raymundo not guilty with respect to Articles of War 96 and 97 and the court granted the motion," he said.

The court is headed by Commodore Jose Luis Alano, chief of the Naval Forces Northern Luzon.

Arevalo could not say specifically what prompted the court to dismiss the two charges.

On Article 64, Arevalo said: "The defense has to prove its case, meaning there is a prima facie evidence to show that he might be guilty, that’s why there has to be hearing, further hearing...It’s the turn of the defense to present their evidence." – Victor Reyes

More on News

Search