AFP: Arrest of Magdalo rebels aborts new destabilization plot

Philippine military officials claimed to have foiled on Friday yet another possible destabilization attempt against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo with the recapture of six junior officers linked to a previous uprising in 2003. Aside from the cache of firearms and explosives recovered from their safe house, security forces said they recovered a blueprint of the Batasan Pambansa complex in Quezon City where the President is to deliver her state of the nation address (SONA) on July 24. "With the arrest of these officers and [Magdalo lawyer Christopher] Belmonte, we believe we have prevented the possible conduct of terroristic actions, as revealed by their plans that we have unmasked earlier, in pursuit of continuing efforts to destabilize the government," said Armed Foces chief Gen. Generoso Senga in a news conference. Army chief Lt. Gen. Hermogenes Esperon said operatives recovered some 300 pounds of explosives and assorted high-powered firearms from the Magdalo hideout at 34 Adler St., Filinvest 2 subdivision in Quezon City. A police statement listed the items seized from the Magdalo group as consisting of three M16 rifles, a Carbine with a magazine, detonating cords, eight hand grenades, three M203 grenades, three blasting caps, a TNT demolition block and assorted ammunition. Esperon said the seized explosives were powerful enough to cause substantial damage to the Batasan complex. Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Director Jesus Versoza said other items recovered were 10 rolls of blueprints of government offices, including the Malacanang Palace in Manila and the Senate building in Pasay City. Military officials said they were now considering charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives against Army First Lieutenants Sonny Sarmiento, Patricio Bumidang, Second Lieutenants Angelbert Gay, Aldrin Baldonado, Army Capt. Nathaniel Rabonza and Navy Lt. senior grade Kiram Badava. Arrested along with the rebel officers were lawyer Jose Christopher Belmonte, a counsel for the Magdalo soldiers. Belmonte had earlier been arrested with Army 1Lt. Lawrence San Juan in Padre Garcia town in Batangas province on February 21. Currently facing rebellion charges, Belmonte is out on bail. Also arrested were Michael Yangson, the owner of the Filinvest home, his mother Bettina Balderama, as well as Michael and Matthew Berris, two minors who are reportedly related to Yangson and Balderama. The AFP said they were also considering charges of obstruction of justice, rebellion or conspiracy to commit rebellion against the civilians for harboring fugitives or possibly helping design the ouster plot. Without naming names, Senga asked "political opportunists to stop exploiting our young officers and men to attain their desperate [dream] to grasp power for themselves from the duly constituted authority through illegal means." "Have pity on these young officers, because this will destroy not only their careers but their lives as well," Senga said. "We ask the support of concerned community and civic leaders and the entire Filipino citizenry to help us in our desire to insulate the AFP and the PNP from adventurism and politics," Senga added. -GMANews.TV OTHER STORIES Six rebel Army officers, lawyer captured in Quezon City raid Arroyo commends PNP, AFP for Magdalo arrest Magdalo soldiers' rights violated, says lawyer Guns and ammo found at Magdalo lair--PNP Arrested Magdalo men taken to Crame