Magdalo soldiers welcome amnesty

MANILA, Philippines – The Magdalo group of soldiers involved in the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny on Tuesday welcomed President Benigno Aquino III's grant of amnesty to soldiers charged with involvement in various failed coup attempts during the Arroyo administration.

"With humility and gratitude, nagpapasalamat kami kay President Noynoy Aquino for signing the amnesty proclamation. Sana'y magbigay daan ito sa bagong yugto ng aming mga buhay (With humility and gratitude, we thank President Aquino for signing the amnesty proclamation. We hope this will give way to a new chapter in our lives)," Magdalo Group spokesman 1st Lieutenant Ashley Acedillo said.

He added that over 300 soldiers would benefit from the amnesty signed by the Commander in Chief. Despite the granting of the amnesty, Acedillo said that

Magdalo soldiers would not stop their fight against corruption within the military institution.

"We will continue to wage our fight against corruption and irregularities, but we will do this in government service or in our private capacities," Acedillo said.

He added that among those that are expected to benefit from the signing of the amesty are the Magdalo soldiers who were involved in the Oakwood Mutiny led by detained Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and the Manila Peninsula siege.

Likewise, soldiers who were involved in the Marines stand-off at Fort Bonifacio, led by Colonel Ariel Querubin, are also included in the amnesty.

Meanwhile, AFP spokesman Brigadier General Jose Mabanta Jr. said that though the Commander in Chief has signed the amnesty, Congress has to concur before any of the soldiers will be released.

In a separate interview, AFP deputy spokesman Major Enrico Ileto said that a total of 101 officers and 185 enlisted personnel were initially charged before the military court for their alleged involvement in the Oakwood mutiny.

Of the 185 EPs, one remains on absence without leave while the rest pleaded guilty to lesser offense and were subsequently sentenced with either demotion or forfeiture of pay and confinement. The 184 EPs have been restored to full-duty status, Ileto added.

Of the 101 officers, six are still facing charges, namely Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, Captain Nicanor Faeldon, 1st Lieutenant Warren Lee Dagupon, and 2nd Lieutenants Alquin Canson, Edwin Duetao and Junibert Tubo.

Charges against 11 others have been dropped for lack of sufficient evidence, while the remaining 84 pleaded guilty and were discharged from military service, Ileto said.

He added that in the Manila Peninsula siege in 2007, 12 officers and five enlisted personnel were charged in the military court but only two--Faeldon and Ret. Brigadier General Danilo Lim--remain on trial.

Likewise, nine out of the 29 officials initially tagged in the February 2006 Marines Standi-off remain facing charges, Ileto said.

Source: Inquirer