Filtered By: Topstories
News

12 Magdalo officers plead guilty


(Updated 1:03 p.m.) Twelve junior Army officers facing trial in connection with the short-lived July 27, 2003 Oakwood mutiny pleaded guilty before a military court Tuesday, changing the earlier not guilty plea entered by the court on their behalf at the start of the court martial proceedings against them more than two years ago. Those who changed their pleas were Captains Milo Maestrecampo, Gerardo Gambala, Albert Baloloy, and John Andres; and First Lieutenants Florentino Somera, Cleo Dengaas, Audie Tucloy, Vonreo Tayab and Rex Bolo. The said officers, along with 17 others, stand accused of violating Articles of War 96 or conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman. The military tribunal, presided by Brig. Gen. Nathaniel Legaspi, said it would hand down a verdict against the said officers in the next hearing, which as of posting time, has yet to be scheduled. Twelve other officers told the court they were entering special pleas, which they would file in 15 days. Lieutenant Warren Lee Dagupon invoked silence, while Lt. Lawrence San Juan deferred entering any change of plea pending resolution of change of plea before the Makati regional court where they also face coup d' etat charges. Opposition Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, a former Navy lieutenant senior grade, was not present during Tuesday's proceedings. Also absent was Marine Capt. Nicanor Faeldon, himself a hard-core officer of the Magdalo group. Prosecution lawyer Lt. Col Feliciano Loi theorized that the accused changed made their move apparently because they knew what would be the outcome of the case. "There is one penalty that is supposed to be imposed - discharge with honor...what will be the use of fighting when their sentence will be the same," Loi said. On the delayed resolution of the case, he said: "If there is delay, you can attribute that to the defense. As Col. (Pedro) Davila said, 'We are locked and loaded. The delay should not be attributed to the prosecution." In May 2005, 184 enlisted men entered into a plea bargain with military prosecutors paving the way for their release from detention and reinstatement in the service but not after being demoted and having forfeited a portion of their salaries. Just last week, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo approved the plea bargain entered into by 54 officers also implicated in the Oakwood mutiny. The said officers will be dishonorably dismissed from the service and released from detention come Jan. 27 next year. - GMANews.TV
LOADING CONTENT