THE military has ordered an investigation of a major general on charges of corruption.

Army chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano said yesterday the probe might lead to a court martial.

Maj. Gen. Jose Barbieto took a leave of absence last week as commander of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division based in Cagayan de Oro City, pending the investigation headed by Maj. Gen. Samuel Narcise, the Army’s inspector general.

Barbieto’s deputy, Brig. Gen. Roland Rodriguez, was named officer-in-charge of the Army unit that supervises operations in Northern Mindanao.

"Regardless of rank or position, we will not condone malpractices and abuses," said Yano in announcing the probe on Barbieto, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1974.

Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres, Army spokesman, said reports linked the general and other personnel in his command "to the following misdemeanors: extortion of candidate soldier applicants and those applying for reinstatement, Cafgu fund mismanagement, conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman."

If a court martial is convened against Barbieto, he would be the second major general to be tried by a military tribunal for corruption.

The first was Maj. Gen. (ret.) Carlos Garcia who was convicted by a military court in December 2005, ordered imprisoned and dishonorably discharged from the service.

Garcia reportedly amassed wealth while he was the military’s comptroller. – Victor Reyes