AFP chief vows ‘fair’ review of mutineers' acquittal
10/19/2009 | 04:11 PM
Armed Forces chief Gen. Victor Ibrado has vowed a “fair" review of the acquittal of the 11 soldiers involved in the alleged attempt to overthrow the Arroyo administration in February 2006.
“He [Ibrado] promised that [fair review]. The truth is they are like his sons. He is going to be fair," said Armed Forces public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr.
Under military procedures, an acquittal by the general court martial can not be considered final and executory unless signed by the chief of staff.
“Because the court martial is only recommendatory, the decision is not yet final and executory. It has to be reviewed by the chief of staff because he is the convening authority," Brawner explained.
Pending Ibrado’s decision, the 11 soldiers – led by by Marine Col. Januario Caringal and Army Lieutenant Colonels Edmundo Malabanjot and Nestor Flordeliza – will have to remain in their respective detention cells.
Brawner could not say how long Ibrado’s review would take, saying that the chief of staff has the option to seek the legal opinion of military lawyers in the review process.
Also cleared Thursday last week for lack of evidence were Marine Maj. Francisco Domingo Fernandez; Army Capts. Ruben Guinolbay, Frederick Sales, and Allan Aurino; and Army 1Lts. Ervin Divinagracia, Jacon Cordero; Sandro Sereno, and Richiemel Caballes.
The 11 were among the 28 soldiers charged with mutiny for allegedly planning to join anti-government protests in EDSA Shrine on Feb. 24, 2006 and call for the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
The tribunal is set to make a ruling on the motion of the 17 other accused on Oct. 27 pending a review of the evidence against them.
Among those who are still waiting the court martial’s decision are former Marine commandant Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda, former Scout Ranger Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim and Marine Col. Ariel Querubin.
Both Lim and Querubin have expressed their intention to run for the Senate in next year’s elections, with Lim included in the senatorial line-up of the United Opposition under former President Joseph Estrada. - GMANews.TV
“He [Ibrado] promised that [fair review]. The truth is they are like his sons. He is going to be fair," said Armed Forces public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr.
Under military procedures, an acquittal by the general court martial can not be considered final and executory unless signed by the chief of staff.
“Because the court martial is only recommendatory, the decision is not yet final and executory. It has to be reviewed by the chief of staff because he is the convening authority," Brawner explained.
Pending Ibrado’s decision, the 11 soldiers – led by by Marine Col. Januario Caringal and Army Lieutenant Colonels Edmundo Malabanjot and Nestor Flordeliza – will have to remain in their respective detention cells.
Brawner could not say how long Ibrado’s review would take, saying that the chief of staff has the option to seek the legal opinion of military lawyers in the review process.
Also cleared Thursday last week for lack of evidence were Marine Maj. Francisco Domingo Fernandez; Army Capts. Ruben Guinolbay, Frederick Sales, and Allan Aurino; and Army 1Lts. Ervin Divinagracia, Jacon Cordero; Sandro Sereno, and Richiemel Caballes.
The 11 were among the 28 soldiers charged with mutiny for allegedly planning to join anti-government protests in EDSA Shrine on Feb. 24, 2006 and call for the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
The tribunal is set to make a ruling on the motion of the 17 other accused on Oct. 27 pending a review of the evidence against them.
Among those who are still waiting the court martial’s decision are former Marine commandant Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda, former Scout Ranger Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim and Marine Col. Ariel Querubin.
Both Lim and Querubin have expressed their intention to run for the Senate in next year’s elections, with Lim included in the senatorial line-up of the United Opposition under former President Joseph Estrada. - GMANews.TV
