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Lim, Trillanes to remain in jail despite bail—AFP


Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and senatorial aspirant former Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim will remain in jail despite being allowed by a Makati court to post bail on a rebellion charge, the military said on Wednesday. “The group of Senator Trillanes cannot be released until after the military has agreed already, because they are still facing general court martial," said Armed Forces spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr. He said the two have pending cases before the military tribunal in connection with alleged attempts to overthrow the Arroyo government. “Under the military law, there is no such thing as bail," Brawner said. Brawner made the statement after the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 150 granted the plea for bail of Trillanes, Lim and 16 other soldiers. The bail was set for P200,000 each. Brawner said the military is securing a copy of the court decision for study and “to determine the circumstances, the basis" why Trillanes and Lim were allowed to post bail. Trillanes, a former Navy officer, is facing conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman before a military tribunal for his participation in the July 27, 2003 Oakwood Mutiny. He is also charged with coup d’etat before a Makati court for the same reason. On the other hand, Lim and 17 other Army and Marine officers remain charged with violation of several Articles of War, including mutiny, before a general court martial for the alleged plot to overthrow the Arroyo government in February 2006. He is also facing court martial for the so-called Manila Peninsula siege in November 2007. Trillanes also took part in the Manila Peninsula siege but was not charged before the military tribunal as he was already a civilian then. He was deemed separated from the military when he ran for senator in the 2007 elections. Government prosecutors, meanwhile, will contest the Makati court’s decision, according to Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita. “Our government prosecutor definitely will set their motion for reconsideration in motion," he said at a press briefing in Malacañang. Both Lim and Trillanes are detained in Camp Crame, the main headquarters of the Philippine National Police (PNP). - with Aie Balagtas See/KBK, GMANews.TV

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