Navy court martial convicts Marine colonel

MANILA, Philippines - The Navy court martial has convicted a Marine colonel who had criticized the government’s supposed failure to curb poverty and hunger in the country.

Navy spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Fabic said the tribunal has found former Marine Col. Generoso Mariano guilty of violating Article of War 63 or disrespect towards the president.

Mariano has been sentenced with dismissal from the service and a one-year imprisonment. The jail sentence, however, was deemed served as Mariano has been restricted to barracks since the video showing him making anti-government statements circulated.

Fabic said the verdict was handed down last week but has been transmitted to Navy chief Vice Adm. Jose Luis Alano.

“Whatever the decision or finding, it will be subject for the approval of the (Navy chief), the convening authority,” he said.

If the Navy leadership approve  the tribunal’s ruling, Mariano will not receive his retirement benefits.

Mariano was also accused of violating Articles of War 91 or provoking speeches and 96 or conduct unbecoming of an officer and gentleman but the military court cleared him of the charges.

Mariano’s video message circulated a few days before his compulsory retirement on July 7, 2011.

In the video dated July 3, Mariano said the government had failed to find ways to address the hunger and poverty being experienced by Filipinos.

“If the incumbent government has no intention or has failed to save the lives of the majority, it is the duty, it is the right of every Filipino including soldiers to replace the government,” Mariano said in the video.

Mariano said the public should not believe statistics showing that the country is achieving development.

Mariano, however, claimed that he never sought to overthrow the Aquino administration.

He said he was not referring to President Aquino when he called for change in his video message which circulated online. – Alexis Romero