Magdalo soldier: We're seeking amnesty for family's sake

For rebel soldiers, there was no need to avail of government offer of amnesty because their acts against the previous administration had already been justified. But they had to seek state forgiveness for the sake of their families. A batch of "mutinous" soldiers who trooped to Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City said their families were the only reason why they took the trouble of applying for amnesty. Speaking on conditions of anonymity, the highest ranking among those who applied last Wednesday told GMANews.TV that he considered their application for amnesty as "cutting edge." "We are doing this for our family. Wala nang iba. Iyon lang ang pinakamahalaga sa amin [That's the most important thing for us]," the official said, as the other applicant soldiers surrounded him. Asked if he regretted “taking up arms" against the government in the so-called "Oakwood mutiny" in 2003, the official said: "Basta ang sa amin, our acts and grievances had already been justified." In the 2003 uprising, more than 300 servicemen led by then Navy Lt. Senior Grade and incumbent Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV took over the Oakwood Hotel (now as Ascott Hotel) in Makati City to air their grievances over supposed corruption under the Arroyo administration. The officer who spoke with GMANews.TV, along with another officer and 16 enlisted personnel, who all participated in the Oakwood mutiny, took turns in accomplishing their amnesty application forms inside the Aguinaldo Room of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Commissioned Officers Club House before lunch. The officer refused to give details on what he wrote on his application form, saying "I would rather that it remains confidential." "Gusto lang namin na ma-regain ng tropa ang ranks nila at kami namang mga officers ay ma-clear man lang ang pangalan namin," he said. Based on the Implementing Rules and Regulations prepared by the Department of National Defense and approved by the President, applicants will have to admit guilt in violating the Constitution and Articles of War before they are given amnesty. Catching up The batch of soldiers that applied for amnesty last Tuesday said it was the first time they saw seen each other again after a long time, as most of them either had taken up other jobs or had gone back to their provinces. "We are elated to see each other again," the official said, as he confessed he was eager to have lunch with the group and do some "catching up." He also said they have fellow "Magdalo soldiers" who had gone abroad, but might be coming back just to apply for amnesty. "Still, it's a case to case basis. Others might want to get their names cleared, while others might just avail of optional retirement," he said. The acceptance of amnesty application will run until March. — LBG, GMANews.TV