by Victor Reyes
Malaya
The Armed Forces yesterday released from detention 11 Army and Marines officers who were recently cleared of mutiny charges in connection with an alleged plan to overthrow the Arroyo government in February 2006.
The release order was signed on October 30 by Lt. Gen. Rodrigo Maclang, AFP vice chief who was acting chief at that time. AFP chief Gen. Victor Ibrado was then in Hawaii attending a meeting of armed forces chiefs in the Pacific.
Maclang consulted Ibrado before signing the order.
Ibrado met with nine of the 11 officers over lunch before they were turned over to their units.
Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr., chief of the AFP public affairs office, said the release was effected only yesterday because the officers had to undergo some requirements, including medical check-up.
The 11, cleared by the military court on October 15 for lack of evidence, are Col. Januario Caringal and Maj. Domingo Francisco Fernandez of the Marines, and Army officers Lt. Colonels Nestor Flordeliza and Edmundo Malabanjot, Captains Ruben Guinolbay, Frederick Sales, and Allan Aurino, and First Lieutenants Ervin Divinagracia, Jacon Cordero, Sandro Sereno and Richiemel Caballes.
The prosecution, led by Lt. Col. Jose Feliciano Loy, attempted to re-open the case against the 11 by filing a motion for a leave of court to collate what it described was “newly discovered” evidence. The court junked the motion Tuesday last week, when it also junked the motion of the 17 remaining officers for a finding of not guilty for the charge of mutiny.
The 17 whose trial will continue are led by former Marines commandant Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda, former Scout Ranger chief Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim and Medal of Valor awardees Col. Ariel Querubin and Lt. Col. Custodio Parcon.
Brawner said Caringal and Caballes were not in the meeting with Ibrado in Camp Aguinaldo.
He said Caringal, who is under the custody of the Navy, was not able to make it because he was informed of the meeting late.
Caballes was in Baguio city due to a family misfortune last week. Their house was burned to the ground.
Caballes and the rest of the cleared officers had been detained in Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal since 2006.
Asked why Ibrado met with the officers prior to their formal release, Brawner said: “He considers these officers like sons.”
Brawner noted the officers, specifically those from the Army, were under Ibrado when he was commander of the Special Operations Command (Socom). The Army officers were assigned with the First Scout Ranger Regiment, one of the units under Socom.
Sunday morning, I got a message from Capt Ruben Guinolbay praising God. He said their release order came the night before.
I heard him in the radio this afternoon after their meeting with AFP Chief Ibrado that there were two valuable lessons he learned while in detention:
1. the importance of keeping faith in God
2. you will know your real friends
I was told that before in Tanay, where 16 of the 28 officers are detained, they were singing “otso-otso” when the 8 of the 11 were about to leave. Otso have been released. For the other otso, the trial continues.
We say to them: keep the faith.
As Lt. Col. Custodio Parcon (one of the remaining 17), said, “darating din tayo doon.”
Totoo na ba ito Ellen? Obviously the asspweron can no longer influence the AFP the way he wants it to be.
The AFP is restoring its professionalism. This is a good start. I hope the leadership that Ibrado has shown so far will be passed on to the next AFP Chief.
Sana makalabas na silang lahat, the rest of the Tanay Boys and the Magdalos.
Ellen, were they dancing the “otso-otso” too? Heh,heh,heh…
Yes! Good luck to you all!
“you will know your real friends” – Capt. Gino
Sa detention at pulitika, pareho yan…madaling makita ang tunay na kaibigan.
Thank you Lord! Soon lahat na sila will be released..”Ibrado considers them like sons kaya he met with them? kawawang mga anak–kinikilala lang sila pero napriso muna sila..ano kaya ang sinabi niya..pinarusahan muna kayo kasi yon ang utos ng reyna.
Rose, walang kinalaman si Ibrado sa pagkakulong ng mga ito. Sina assperon, senga at mayuga ang mga naka-upo noon. Yano would have done something more for them but he had “utang na loob” to the ass for endorsing him as the next chief kaya yun, nagbubulag bulagan din ito. For the release of these 11 officers, I credit it more to the current AFP top brass. He probably muscled the two (the boobuwit and the ass) to get them released. Baka nga paikliin ang termino niya at ilagay si Bangit ang isa pang “aso” nila. Kaya bilisan sana ng mga panel na palabasin na ang mga naiiwan. Baka magsara pa yung panandaliang nakabukas na pinto.
To the 11 cleared officers walk out of detention
Very best of luck, gentlemen!
Let us thank the Lord for having given us a chance to share his life and he, ours. Congratulations to those who have been released. Let us endeavour to have those still left behind also be released. Let us endeavour to have one of us who has escaped and evaded the enemy, safely return to camp.