Soldier who led Fort Boni standoff goes home

Days after leading a standoff at the Marine Corps headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Marine Col. Ariel Querubin returned on Thursday to his residence in Camp Aqguinaldo. A streamer in front of his house on Regis Street greeted Querubin. “Daddy Ariel, Thank you for your great example! We are proud of you," the streamer said. Querubin’s wife invited journalists who tried to interview the soldier to share a meal of pansit sotanghon, pansit palabok, fried chicken, pork barbecue, hopia and rice cake. “He is still under gag order," Mrs. Querubin told reporters. “He is under my custody," she said in jest. Querubin is founder of the Young Officers Union (YOU) that allegedly part of past coup attempts. Querubin stayed in one corner of the house where he received telephone calls. Relatives, friends and wives of his mistahs from the Philippine Military Academy Class 1979 were around to welcome him. Mrs. Querubin said her husband would be busy doing garden chores and attending to their children. “He is an absentee father," Mrs. Querubin said. The couple has seven children. Military officials said Querubin was under investigation for his involvement in a destabilization plot, prompting President Arroyo to declare a state of national emergency. Col. Tristan Kison, military spokesman, said the incident at the Marine headquarters on Sunday was part of a plot to topple the Arroyo administration. Querubin relinquished his post as commander of the 1st Marine Brigade in Marawi City on Wednesday.- GMANews.TV