Philippine general gets 2-year jail term for corruption

The Philippine military chief approved the sentencing of a two-star general to two years of hard labor after his conviction for massive corruption, in a warning to would-be grafters in the force, the military said Thursday.

Photo: Philippine general gets 2-year jail term for corruption

A military court found Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia guilty last December of massive corruption and illegal acquisition of millions of dollars (euros) while handling the military's budget, becoming the most senior officer convicted of graft.

Aside from the two-year prison term, Garcia also was dishonorably dismissed from the service and forced to forfeit all pay and allowances, including his pension.

Military chief of staff Gen. Generoso Senga approved Garcia's conviction on Thursday. If the military's Judge Advocate General's Office will uphold Senga's decision, it will be sent to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for final approval, military spokesman Maj. Gen. Jose Angel Honrado said at a news conference.

Garcia had pleaded innocent. He faces separate charges before a civilian anti-graft court.

Rampant graft in the 117,000-member military has sparked several rebellions by disgruntled troops in recent years.

The military has been struggling with corruption and a lack of weapons and equipment in the face of raging Marxist and Muslim insurgencies and terror threats, reports the AP.

I.L.