State prosecutor questions timing of amnesty for rebel soldiers

A state prosecutor expressed dismay Tuesday over the timing of President Aquino's proclamation granting amnesty to rebel soldiers, saying this should have been done after the court decision on the case of the military officers and personnel linked to three attempts to topple the administration of former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Senior State Prosecutor Juan Pedro Navera said the Department of Justice (DOJ) was never consulted regarding President Aquino’s decision to grant amnesty to over 300 soldiers, including detained Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, who were involved in military uprisings in 2003, 2006 and 2007. “If we want to respect the rule of law, if we want to bow to the court, we should wait for the court decision," said Navera, one of the state prosecutors handling the case against Trillanes. The Makati Regional Trial Court is set to release its decision on October 28 regarding the coup d’etat charges filed against Trillanes and other soldiers in connection with the 2003 Oakwood Hotel mutiny. “Aren’t we all interested in the truth? Isn’t this the era of truth-finding and truth-seeking?" Navera said in an interview aired over GMA News “24 Oras." Trillanes has a separate rebellion case pending before the Makati City RTC Branch 150 for the military siege of the Peninsula Manila hotel in November 2007. - Andreo Calonzo/YA, GMANews.TV