Category: Magdalo

by Ramon J. Farolan
Philippine Daily Inquirer

One of the tallest in the group at five feet, six inches was Arlene Orejana, a psychology graduate of UP. The fourth of five girls, she was born in General Santos City and studied at the Mindanao State University before entering UP….

When the class of 1997 arrived at Fort Del Pilar, they were received by second class cadets belonging to the class of 1995. Cadet Antonio Trillanes IV was in charge of indoctrinating the newcomers on the Honor System in the Academy. Arlene Orejana thought he was cute! Leave it to the women to notice these things even during times of stress and pressure.

By Julie M. Aurelio
Philippine Daily Inquirer

An opposition senator on Thursday told a Makati City court that the so-called Oakwood mutiny in 2003 cannot qualify as a coup d’etat, especially if compared to the 1987 and 1989 coup attempts.

Testifying for the defense, Biazon said there was no attack, even as the members of the so-called Magdalo group of rebel soldiers seized the Oakwood luxury apartments in the Makati financial district, said lawyer Ernesto Francisco, who represents eight of the 22 junior officers accused of leading the mutiny.

“Style mo, bulok.” That’s what we say when we catch someone trying to con us.

That’s what we want to tell AFP Chief Hermogenes Esperon and his not so intelligent “intelligence agents” who had someone pose as Capt. Nicanor Faeldon and called up ABS-CBN and GMA-7 to give an interview.

The style was so rotten, it stank. We are wondering what sinister plan they are up to.

By Joel Guinto

It was not Marine Captain Nicanor Faeldon talking in an interview that was aired on television on Tuesday evening, his lawyer said.

“That’s not him. That’s not his style,” said lawyer Trixie Cruz-Angeles, who represents the fugitive rebel officer in civilian and court martial cases.

At the same time, Angeles said the voice clip could be part of a ploy by the military to force Faeldon out of hiding.

‘Scripted clemency’ playing out?

by Victor Reyes

Nine junior officers who have been meted prison terms by a Makati court for the 2003 Oakwood mutiny yesterday asked for forgiveness for their misdeeds as they said they are seeking “mercy” from President Arroyo.

The nine, led by Capt. Gerardo Gambala, faced the media in a press conference in Fort Bonifacio for the first time since the promulgation of their sentence last Tuesday.

No worry. Esperon has promised them pardon very soon.

The Makati Regional Trial Court on Tuesday handed down a sentence of imprisonment ranging from six years up to 40 years on nine members of the Magdalo group who pleaded guilty to charges of coup d’etat for the July 2003 Oakwood mutiny.

Makati RTC Branch 148 Judge Oscar Pimentel sentenced Captains Gerardo Gambala and Milo Maestrocampo – who are among the Magdalo’s core leaders – to reclusion perpetua or 20 to 40 years of imprisonment.

The nine have long been expelled from the Magdalo group. Their plea of guilty smells of a deal. Let’s watch in the following days or weeks.

From Malaya:

by Ashzel Hachero

In a move that caught the defense lawyers by surprise, nine Magdalo junior officers including two of the group’s core leaders changed their plea to guilty on the charge of coup d’etat for their participation in the 2003 Oakwood mutiny.