Bishop says Querubin release 'long overdue'

A senior Catholic bishop hailed the release of former Marine Col. Ariel Querubin after four years of detention, saying it was "long overdue." Novaliches Bishop Antonio Tobias said Querubin, who he described as his friend, merely wanted to awaken the previous administration into addressing people's needs. “I’m happy to hear my friend has been released from military detention because he said he just wanted to awaken the Arroyo government to take care of people’s needs and he says what he did was for love of country," Tobias said in an article posted Wednesday night on the Union of Catholic Asian News website. But Tobias stressed Querubin “must still answer to the charges brought against him." The military on Wednesday released Querubin after more than four years in detention. [See: Mutiny suspect Col. Querubin freed from military detention] He is facing a court martial for his involvement in a seven-hour standoff at the Marine headquarters in Fort Bonifacio in February 2006. He was among hundreds of marine troopers who marched and gathered in front of their headquarters to protest the sacking of their commandant. The standoff took place at a time when then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was struggling over allegations she cheated to win the 2004 presidential elections. When the standoff took place in 2006, Tobias said he rushed to Fort Bonifacio “to help ensure no violence would take place." Meanwhile, Tobias said he hoped the military under President Benigno Aquino III would also review the cases of others charged with Querubin. Querubin’s release is “a good start for reconciliation in the armed forces" under the new administration, Tobias said. Meanwhile, Querubin narrated early Thursday morning the things he did the day after his release from detention.
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV In an interview by GMA News' Arnold Clavio, Querubin said he spent hours Wednesday night responding to text messages from friends and supporters. "Nag-assume na uli ako sa aking mga responsibilidad bilang tatay ng aking mga anak (I have assumed my duties as a father to my children," he said. By weekend, he said he will pay a visit to his 88-year-old mother, who he has not seen since May this year. In earlier interviews, Querubin said he is upbeat the case against him will eventually be dismissed. He said the case against him had already been dismissed in the first place, but then AFP chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. reversed it to "keep us at bay and ensure the (political) survival" of President Arroyo. "Nakita ko sa lahat na pronouncement ng bagong presidente friendly naman at makakakuha ako ng justice (I see President Aquino is 'friendly' and I have a good chance of getting justice)," he said in an earlier interview on dzBB radio. —LBG, GMANews.TV