A witness in the coup d' etat trial against the mutinous Magdalo soldiers on Tuesday alleged that former senator Gregorio "Gringo" Honasan presided over a meeting for the plotters of the failed Oakwood mutiny. Army Capt. Manuel Darius Resuelo testified before the Makati regional trial court that on June 4, 2003, he attended a meeting in San Juan presided by Honasan. Honasan, who led bloody coup attempts during the 1980s, allegedly told those present in the meeting that there was an urgent need to use force against the government. Resuelo quoted Honasan as saying, “Baka ito na ang huling bira namin, matanda na kami." He said Honasan was then pushing for his National Recovery Program, which the latter allegedly distributed in hardcopy a day before the Oakwood mutiny erupted. Resuelo added that there were also rituals like blood compact during the meeting. During the height of the failed Oakwood mutiny of July 2003, Honasan attempted to act as mediator between the government and some 200 soldiers from Magdalo group. Shortly after the incident, Honasan took the Senate floor and denied that he masterminded the failed rebellion. PLANNED Military and Cabinet officials have also tagged the former senator as among the leaders of a consolidated effort among communist rebels, disgruntled soldiers and opposition leaders to oust President Arroyo. The Department of Justice (DOJ) charged and subsequently subpoenaed Honasan for his alleged involvement in the latest coup plot. The Bureau of Immigration (BI) issued a hold-departure order against Honasan shortly after emergency rule was declared last February 24. Honasan faces separate coup d’ etat charges for his alleged involvement in the Oakwood mutiny. Government lawyers said Resuelo’s testimony showed that the mutiny was not spontaneous, but was planned. State Prosecutor Richard Fadullon said the statement of the witness can also be used against Honasan with regards to the coup d’ etat charges filed against him by the DOJ for the Oakwood mutiny. Aside from Honasan, included in the charge sheet were (ret.) Colonel Ernesto Macahiya, (ret.) Captain Felix Turingan, George Duldulao, Colonel Virgilio Briones, (ret.) Colonel Romeo Lazo, Lina Reyes, and several other unidentified individuals. TIGHT SECURITY Military forces beefed up the security at the Makati City Hall of Justice for the arrival of the mutinous Magdalo soldiers. The Armed Forces deployed soldiers aboard 20 military trucks and canine units to secure the sala of presiding Judge Oscar Pimentel of Makati RTC-Branch 148. Military officials again sought to ward off members of the media from coming into contact with the Magdalo soldiers. Soldiers manning the third floor of the old building of the Makati City Hall interrogated and inspected the belongings of people entering the courtroom. Members of the Navy, Air Force and the Army started to inspect the building as early as 6 a.m. During past hearings, the mutineers were able to slip anti-government messages to reporters covering the hearing and even escape military escorts.-GMANews.TV
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