Mutiny suspect Danilo Lim out on bail

Former First Scout Ranger Regiment commander Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, detained for his alleged involvement in two failed attempts to overthrow the Arroyo administration, was allowed temporary liberty Monday afternoon after posting bail. Lim posted a P200,000 bail before the sala of Judge Elmo Alameda of the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 150 and was allowed to leave his detention cell in Camp Crame, the main headquarters of the Philippine National Police (PNP), at around 5:30 p.m. Lim is facing a rebellion charge in connection with the November 2007 standoff at the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City where he and several junior officers linked to the July 2003 Oakwood mutiny withdrew their support from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The military, where Lim is facing court martial proceedings, meanwhile approved Lim’s request for a provisional liberty.

Lim is facing charges of 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) in connection with the Manila Peninsula Hotel siege. He is also facing a separate charge of mutiny before another military tribunal for violation of AW67 (mutiny) in relation to the supposed plan to grab power in February 2006. Armed Forces chief Gen. Delfin Bangit approved Lim’s request to be placed under the custody of Brig. Gen. Reynaldo Ordoñez, currently the chief of the military’s Philippine Defense Reform Office. Armed Forces spokesman Lt. Col. Arnulfo Burgos said Ordoñez would be made accountable if Lim violates the provisional liberty given to him by Bangit. Lim is considered as a member of the Philippine Military Academy class of 1978 which includes Bangit and Ordonez as regular members. He initially joined the PMA in 1973 but left a year after for the US Military Academy in West Point, where he graduated in 1978. Lim ran for senator in the recently concluded May 10 elections but lost. He was an independent candidate but was adopted by the Liberal Party whose standard-bearer, Sen. Benigno “Noynoy" Aquino III, is likely to win the presidency based on unofficial tallies. A report over at GMA Network’s “Saksi" said Lim visited Aquino in his family’s residence in Times Street in Quezon City Monday night. - KBK, GMANews.TV