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Accept court sentence, AFP chief tells 9 Magdalo soldiers


(Updated 11:45 a.m.) MANILA, Philippines - Shortly after the promulgation of sentence on nine Magdalo soldiers who pleaded guilty to charges of coup d'etat for the July 2003 Oakwood mutiny, Armed Forces chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon on Tuesday said the officers should accept the court ruling on their case. "Initial reaction siguro is well you just have to accept the plea and the sentencing itself as it is. On our side it’s the justice, judicial system taking its due course. I appreciate them for having pleaded guilty," Esperon said. Esperon added he is coming up with a detailed statement, noting that he has yet to read the entire decision. “I have not, I do not have details yet of the promulgation... I will have to make my official reaction later," he said. The Makati Regional Trial Court sentenced Captains Gerardo Gambala and Milo Maestrocampo - who are among the Magdalo's core leaders - to reclusion perpetua or 20 to 40 years of imprisonment, and their six other companions to prision mayor or 6 to 12 years in jail. Those sentenced to prison mayor are: Captains Alvin Ebreo, Laurence Louis Somera, Albert Baloloy and John Andres, 1Lt. Florentino Somera, 2Lt. Kristoffer Bryan Yasay and 1Lt. Cleo Dongga. On whether he anticipated the decision of the court, Esperon said: "I cannot really anticipate the judge kung anong promulgation nya, hindi natin maanticipate yan, kung ano yung pinalabas nila, yun na. I have nothing for or against it kasi it's their turf." - GMANews.TV
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