Marine commander answers coup charges

Colonel Ariel Querubin, erstwhile commander of the First Marine Brigade, on Monday swore under oath that he never participated in a botched coup against the Arroyo administration in February. Querubin, former Marine commandant Major Gen. Renato Miranda and 11 other Marine officers attended Monday's closed-door pre-trial probe held at the Officers' Clubhouse inside the Marine headquarters at Fort Bonifacio. Miranda, for his part, asked the Judge Advocate Generals' Office (JAGO) to give him more time to submit his sworn statement. He asserted that he needs additional time to review the voluminous documentary presented evidence against him. The JAGO set to August 24 the next pre-trial investigation into the alleged involvement of the Marines and members and officials of the Scout Rangers in the botched February 24 coup against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Lawyer Rodrigo Artus, counsel for Querubin, said his client and Miranda approached (ret.) AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Generoso Senga on the evening of February 23 merely to inform him of the supposed withdrawal of support being planned by junior military officers. Artus said Senga even instructed Querubin to hold dialogues with the junior officers to discourage them from pursuing their plan. The two officers, as well as sacked First Scout Ranger Regiment commander Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim and 35 other military officers, are being investigated based on a charge sheet prepared by a military fact-finding board. They are charged with violation of Articles of War 63 (disrespect to the President), AW 65 (willfully disobeying superior officers) AW 67 (mutiny), AW 96 (conduct unbecoming an officer and gentleman) AW 97 (conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline). They face possible dismissal from the service if convicted, among other penalties.-GMANews.TV