A TOTAL of 21 newly-commissioned Judge Advocate General Service (Jags) officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have undergone a five-day educational tour here in Western Mindanao.
Major Ronald Suscano, Army's 1st Infantry Division information officer, said the tour, which started May 28 and ended June 1, was aimed to familiarize the new JAGS officers on the real situation in the field and the peculiar characteristics of battlefield conditions.
"This (educational tour) is very timely as today's engagement of the different enemies of the state is not only through the armed confrontation but also on legal battles and offensives especially in urban centers," Suscano said.
The primary functions of the JAGS officers is to provide legal assistance and services to military personnel relative to the rules of engagement in times of armed conflict.
They will be responsible in case build-up until the final verdict or resolution of the case is reach should the violations committed by either party in ongoing armed conflict.
In administrative aspect, they serve as legal adviser of the Unit Commander and also the administrator of the military justice system.
Suscano said the education tour was useful and productive in the performance of their duty by the time they will be deployed to their respective assignments in any unit of the AFP.
The Army's 1st Infantry Division, the premier unit of the Philippine Army, hosted the educational tour for the 21 new JAGS officers. (Bong Garcia/VoxPop Philippines)