Magdalo group welcomes acquittal of 11 military officers

A group identified with rebel soldiers, Magdalo, on Friday welcomed the acquittal of 11 military officers who were linked in the alleged plot to overthrow the Arroyo government in 2006. In statement, the Samahang Magdalo said the decision to clear and order the release of their colleagues “reflects the changing atmosphere" under the leadership of Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Victor Ibrado. “At least, in this case, both the AFP and these officers want to move on and move forward," the group said in a statement. Magdalo refers to a group of soldiers led by junior officers who seized the posh Oakwood Premiere (now Ascott Makati) in Makati City last July 2003 to denounce the alleged rampant corruption in government. Samahang Magdalo is the rebel’s civilian arm. On Thursday, a military tribunal cleared and ordered the release of Marine Col. Januario Caringal; Lt. Cols. Edmundo Malabanjot and Nestor Flordeliza; Maj. Francisco Domingo Fernandez; Capts. Ruben Guinolbay, Frederick Sales, and Allan Aurino; and 1Lts. Ervin Divinagracia, Jacon Cordero, Sandro Sereno, and Richiemel Caballes. The military court, however, deferred ruling on 17 others, including former Marine commandant Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda, former Army Scout Ranger chief Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, Medal of Valor awardee Col. Ariel Querubin, and Miranda’s aide-de-camp Marine 1st Lt. Belinda Ferrer. Ferrer is the lone woman among the military officers who allegedly plotted to withdraw support from President Arroyo. They have been detained since 2006. [See: 11 acquitted of Feb '06 mutiny raps, but not Brig. Gen. Lim] Samahang Magdalo called on the other officers to “stay on the course" even as it urged the AFP expedite its ruling on the pending cases. “We sincerely hope that the AFP acts with extreme urgency and utmost fairness in finally bringing the matter to just and humane conclusion," the group said. - Aie Balagtas See, GMANews.TV