Ex-Marine officer posts bail at Sandigan but to remain in detention for another offense

MANILA, Philippines - A retired Marine colonel - who was arrested along with former assemblyman Homobono Adaza and three others - on Friday posted bail at the Sandiganbayan for his alleged involvement in a case of missing firearms in 2000. Retired Marine Col. Cesar dela Peña posted a P120,000 bail bond after he was turned over by the Philippine National Police to the Sandiganbayan's Fifth Division on the strength of an arrest warrant issued against him by the antigraft court last June 24. The arrest warrant was issued after the antigraft court ruled there was evidence to prove that Peña conspired with seven others - including former Marines commandant retired Brigadier General Percival Subala - for the loss of 72 units of Heckler and Koch MP5 sub-machine guns in 2000. Manuel Torio of the Sandiganbayan Sheriff and Security Services Office said after dela Peña's posting of bail, he will be returned to the PNP's custody. He noted that dela Peña, along with Adaza and three others, face complaints of "proposing to commit coup d' etat" and obstruction of justice. - GMANews.TV