Faeldon: I've never been a member of Magdalo

Although he participated in the infamous Oakwood Mutiny in 2007 and the Manila Peninsula Siege in 2007, Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon said Wednesday he was never a member of the Magdalo faction of the military.

"In all my pronouncement since 2003, I have never been a member of the Magdalo and I will never be a member of the Magdalo because I don't want to associate myself with the history of the Magdalo in this country," he said.

Faeldon made the clarification during the House investigation on the P6.4 billion worth of shabu illegally shipped to the country from China, when he was asked by Deputy Speaker Fredenil Castro if he is a member of the Magdalo group.

The Magdalo group was famously known for the Oakwood Mutiny in 2003, which was staged to expose the alleged corruption of then-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

But Faeldon said he only joined the mutiny, as well as the siege of Manila Peninsula Hotel, but he was never a part of the group, which has among its members Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and party-list Representative Gary Alejano.

"I am part of the activities of soldiers in the Oakwood, I am part of the activities of soldiers in the Manila Peninsula, but the name Magdalo was never adopted by me in writing or in pronouncements," he said.

"I always said that I am not a Magdalo and I will never be a member of the Magdalo, but I am part of those soldiers."

Castro noted that there were several members of the military who are part of Faeldon's "administrative circle" in the Bureau of Customs. He then turned to Import Assessment Division Director Milo Maestrecampo, whom he asked the same question.

"I did not sign any paper, but because of the incident, I was. But I was kicked out by Sen. Trillanes, I guess around 2008. I only see it on the media, it's also verbal," Maestrecampo said.

"Since 2008, when I got out of jail, I would not want to affiliate myself with any group. I will leave myself as Mr. Maestrecampo," he added.

Deputy Commissioner for Management Information System and Technology Group Gerardo Gambala was also asked the same question.

"Yes, sir, I'm part of the group who went to Oakwood," Gambala said, but noted that he was a member of the Magdalo group "no more." —KBK, GMA News