DND, AFP push clemency for 9 Magdalos; CBCP warns gov't

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines on Sunday recommended to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo the granting of executive clemency to the nine junior officers convicted of the July 2003 coup d’etat. Meanwhile, the Episcopal Commission on Prison Pastoral Care (ECPPC) of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said that it would not be a wise decision for Mrs Arroyo to grant the executive clemency because it is not the people’s clamor. In a joint statement, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr and AFP chief Hermogenes Esperon Jr said they have found sufficient reasons for endorsing to the President the grant of pardon to the nine junior officers. “The power of the President under the Constitution to grant executive clemency is absolute once the conditions for the granting pardon are already present," Teodoro said. Both Teodoro and Esperon cited the fact that the nine soldiers have already apologized to the public and government regarding their involvement in the short-lived July 2003 Oakwood mutiny as basis for the granting of the pardon. “These junior officers were led astray by wrong beliefs but have realized their grave mistakes. Military adventurism is no way to pursue and achieve reforms. They are very talented soldiers and we would like to give them another chance to help the country move forward," Esperon said. “These junior officers have suffered detention for four years and nine months and have shown remorse for their illegal acts and appealed for President’s pardon," he added. The nine junior officers recommended to be given executive clemency are Capt. Gerardo Gambala, Capt. Milo Maestrecampo, Capt. John Andres, Capt. Albert Baloloy, Capt Alvin Ebreo, Capt. Lawrence Louis Somera, 1Lt Cleo Donga-as, 1Lt Florentino Somera, Jr and 2Lt Kristopher Bryan Yasay. Teodoro said the granting of the pardon would be consistent with the President’s holistic approach towards achieving national unity and reconciliation, as he cited government moves to grant amnesty to New Peoples' Army rebels and separatist groups in Mindanao. "I believe it is equally important in achieving national peace to reach out to these convicted junior officers who have shown remorse for their illegal acts and expressed desire to return to the folds of law," Teodoro said. Pardon lopsided ECPPC Executive Secretary Rodolfo Diamante said should the President grant presidential clemency to the Magdalo soldiers, it would definitely boost the political stability of the Arroyo administration. “Why is it every time that the situation is in favor of the administration, it seems to be already a done deal. It (granting pardon) is in favor of the administration because the men involved are soldiers," Diamante said. He also described the implementation of presidential pardons as “lopsided" since it has become a politicized process. Diamante warned Mrs Arroyo that she would draw criticisms should she pardon the Magdalo 9, saying that “the public is not in favor of it." -GMANews.TV