Nation

Army probes military official allegedly involved in Plaza Chua murder case

January 6, 2023

2 minute read

Davao City Police Office Director Col. Alberto Lupaz shows the photo of the gunman responsible for the killing of Yvonnette Plaza Chua, which also contains the details of the P1 million bounty for those who can give the information and whereabouts of the gunmen. Plaza was shot at close range by one of two gunmen riding in tandem on a motorbike in front of her rented house on December 29, 2022.

The military has initiated its own investigation over the alleged involvement of Brig. Gen. Jesus Durante over his alleged involvement in the murder of businesswoman Yvonne Plaza Chua, who was shot dead by a suspect in Davao City last week.

Army chief Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said the 10th Infantry Division, which holds jurisdiction over him and his unit, is investigating Durante, commander of the 1001st Infantry Brigade.

“The 10th ID is already conducting its own investigation. We are waiting for the results,” Brawner told military reporters. “We have advised General Durante to cooperate with any investigation on the allegations against him.”

Durante, former commander of the Presidential Security Group during the term of former President Rodrigo Duterte, was linked to the Chua case after reports in the social media claimed that the military official was allegedly involved in the death of the businesswoman.

The women’s group Gabriela had also claimed that Chua herself had accused Durante of physical assault and threats.

However, Durante earlier belied any involvement in the murder of Chua, saying his name was only being drawn into the killing after the victim posted on her social media account a picture of herself with her injuries which she attributed to the Army general.

But Durante said the post made in April last year along with Chua’s allegations have been retracted by the victim herself who even issued a statement that Durante did not harm her.

While Brawner said that the military is probing Durante, the 10th ID said there has been no formal request or even complaint against any of its officers.

“Thus, we could not take action based on social media [reports],” said division spokesman Capt. Mark Anthony Tito.

“We will wait for the results of the investigation of the PNP [Philippine National Police] and the unit will cooperate with the ongoing formal investigation, if needed. We will not condone any wrongdoings of our personnel, including senior officers,” Tito stressed. Rene Acosta

Image credits: PNA/Robinson Niñal Jr.

PNA/Robinson Niñal Jr.

Author

Rene Acosta

Rene P. Acosta covers defense, law enforcement and national security for the paper. He had written for a number of publications, including abroad before he joined BusinessMirror. His works had appeared in the Center for Strategic and International Studies and Asia Pacific Defense Forum, both in the US. He took up regional security with the International Visitor Leadership Program, US. He is currently the chairman of the board of the Defense Press Corps of the Philippines which he had headed in 2009.