ZAMBOANGA CITY – A total of 21 newly-commissioned Judge Advocate General Service (JAGS) officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) underwent an educational tour in the Army’s area of responsibility in Western Mindanao.
The educational tour from May 28 to June 1, was facilitated by the Army’s 1st Infantry “Tabak” Division.
Maj. Ronald Suscano, Army’s 1st Infantry Division information officer, said the activity aims to familiarize the participants on the real situation in the field and the peculiar characteristics of battlefield conditions.
“This is very timely as today’s engagement of the different enemies of the state is not only through armed confrontation but also on legal battles and offensives, especially in urban centers,” Suscano said.
He said JAGS officers’ primary function is to provide legal assistance and services to the military personnel relative to the AFP’s rules of engagement in times of armed conflict.
Should there be violations committed by either party in an ongoing armed conflict, these officers will be responsible in the case build-up until the final verdict or resolution of the case, he said.
In terms of the administrative aspect, JAGS officers serve as legal adviser of the Commander and also the administrator of the military justice system.
Suscano underscored the importance of the educational tour in providing JAGS officers insight for them to be effective in their duties once they are deployed to their respective assignments in the AFP. (Teofilo Garcia, Jr/PNA)
