Amnesty asked for anti-Arroyo soldiers

Political and church leaders, along with representatives of the academe and other sectors, asked President Benigno Aquino III Thursday to grant amnesty to the soldiers who stood against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. In a full-page newspaper ad on Thursday, around 90 signatories asked Aquino, in a spirit of peace and reconciliation, "to grant amnesty to the active and former officers and enlisted personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) who stood against the previous administration." "This appeal is not to encourage impunity for their actions in the Oakwood incident of 2003; in the Marine standoff of 2006; nor for those in The Peninsula Manila siege of November 2007; and several other related incidents," the signatories said. These soldiers have already suffered the consequences of their actions. They have paid their dues. We believe that it is time for them to rebuild their lives, and in the process, contribute to rebuilding this nation," they said in their ad in the Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper. "President Noy, we believe that granting amnesty to these soldiers is not only acceptable, but also timely in view of the Government's agenda of peace and reconciliation," they added. The signatories noted that the Aquino government and previous administrations have already pursued "acts of reconciliation" with "avowed enemies of the State," such as the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front; Moro National Liberation Front; and Moro Islamic Liberation Front. "It would only be just if the same conciliatory approach is extended to the very same soldiers who have devoted most of their lives in the service of our country and people," they said. Protests against alleged corruption The "Oakwood Mutiny" occurred on July 27, 2003 when a group of 321 armed soldiers, who called themselves "Bagong Katipuneros," (New Katipuneros) took over the Oakwood Premier Ayala Center (now called Ascott Makati), a serviced apartment tower in Makati City. Led by Army Capt. Gerardo Gambala and then Navy Lt. Senior Grade Antonio Trillanes IV, the soldiers protested against the alleged acts of corruption committed by the administration of Arroyo, now a Pampanga congresswoman. The "Manila Peninsula rebellion" on the other hand, occurred on Nov. 29, 2007 at The Peninsula Manila hotel in Makati City. At the time, Trillanes, Army Brigadier General Danilo Lim, and 25 other Magdalo officers walked out of their trial and marched through the streets of Makati City. The mutineers called for the ousting of Arroyo and seized the second floor of the Manila Peninsula Hotel along Ayala Avenue. Former Vice-President Teofisto Guingona, Jr., and AFP soldiers, joined the march. After several hours, Trillanes and Lim surrendered to government forces. Trillanes and the mutineers were arrested. Signatories The signatories of the appeal included: