MANILA, March 5 (Reuters) - The Philippines' anti-corruption agency has ordered the suspension of an army two-star general and a sergeant accused of extorting money from recruits, officials said on Wednesday.

Assistant Ombudsman Mark Jalandoni said they have asked the military to suspend without pay Major-General Jose Barbieto and Staff Sergeant Roseller Echepare for six months while they face an inquiry.

Barbieto, who has denied the charges, is the highest-ranked field commander to face corruption charges.

"Applicants are being extorted money in amounts ranging from 25,000 pesos to 30,000 pesos ($615-$738) to guarantee their enlistment in the army without having to pass the standard procedures," Jalandoni said, quoting from the complaint sheet.

Graft is a big problem in the underfunded military.

In 2006, the military's chief finance officer, Major-General Carlos Garcia, was sentenced to two years hard labour for using government funds to buy a luxurious apartment in New York's Manhattan area.

Garcia, his wife and two sons were facing separate criminal cases before a Manila anti-graft court after U.S. authorities seized a large amount of cash from the general's children at an airport in California in 2004.

(Reporting by Manny Mogato; Editing by Carmel Crimmins and Alex Richardson)

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