AFP chief orders release of 10 Magdalo soldiers

Ten soldiers detained for attempting to overthrow the Arroyo administration almost three years ago had been ordered released a week after settling their case before the military’s general court martial. Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public office chief Lt. Col. Arnulfo Burgos said this was after military chief Gen. Delfin Bangit signed the release order for the 10 upon the recommendation of the military tribunal. “The 10 will be released … The release of the 10 was already signed by General Bangit," said Burgos. The 10 were former Lt (sg) James Layug, former Capt. Gary Alejano, Lt. (sg) Eugene Gonzales, Lt. (sg) Andy Torrato, Lt. (sg) Manuel Cabochan, Capt Dan Orfiano, Lt. (jg) Arturo Pascua, 1Lt. Billy Pascua, 1Lt. Jonnel Sangalang, and 1Lt. Armand Pontejos. The soldiers were members of the Magdalo group, an organization of self-styled military reformist where Layug and Alejano are considered core leaders, along with detained senator and former Lt. (sg) Antonio Trillanes IV. Trillanes was not charged before the military court in connection with the siege as he was already a civilian at the time. The other high-profile participant, senatorial bet Danilo Lim, a former brigadier general, remains charged before the military court for the same offenses, along with Capt. Nicanor Faeldon who is still at-large. Sentenced The 10 were sentenced to eight months imprisonment by a military court last April 7 after pleading guilty to offenses filed against them in relation to the November 2007 siege of the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City and the withdrawal of support from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, whom they called a “bogus president." The charges were violation of Articles of War 63 (disrespect to the President), 96 (conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman), 97 (conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline) and 70 (escape from confinement). “They just served more than two years in jail [since the siege] and yet their sentence was eight months. That is deemed served already so they were released from detention. As far as the detention is concerned in the military, they are already released," said Burgos. Of the 10, Layug and Alejano were last detained at the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) inside Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City. The rest are detained at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame. Allan Tanjusay, the media officer of the Magdalo Group, said Layug and Alejano were still packing up their things from their detention after receiving their release order from the military. “They already received the papers, it’s signed by General Bangit. They are on their way out today [Sunday]," said Tanjusay. Good news The lawyer of the 10, Ed Abaya, said the signing of the release order was definitely good news since Layug and Alejano could now campaign for the May 10 automated elections. Layug is running for congressman in the second district of Taguig City while Alejano is running for mayor in his hometown in Sipalay, Negros Occidental. The two had posted bail a few weeks ago. Abaya said the remaining eight have yet to post their bail before the court but intend to do so once they receive the release order from the military. “The others are just waiting for the release order. Once released, they will post bail. Bail can be easily arranged. That will just be filed before the [Makati] court," he said. – KBK, GMANews.TV