A high-ranking officer has been suspended for sexually harassing his former secretary when she was 18 years old (“Military general relieved, charged with sexual harassment,” Inquirer.net, 2/20/14). He took advantage of his position and forced the girl to have sex with him so she could keep her job. The experience traumatized the girl.
As a mother, I sympathize with the young woman and it is only appropriate that the defendant, Brig. Gen. Noel Miano, be prosecuted for the crime. To be fair to those who are morally upright, disciplined and true to their calling as soldiers, I think this matter is an isolated case and does not speak of the whole Armed Forces of the
Philippines.
We all know that the AFP has never condoned wrongdoing in its organization and there have been military personnel who have been meted out punishment and discharged from the service. The AFP is obviously weeding out the misfits in its ranks for a better organization of dedicated men and women.
Miano violated Republic Act No. 7877 or the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995, as well as the AFP Code of Ethics and the Articles of War. He
deserves to be punished.
—MSG. LINA S GARCIA, PA (Ret.),
lina.garcia19@yahoo.com