'Mutineer' Faeldon released from detention

Marine Capt. Nicanor Faeldon, implicated in two attempts to topple the Arroyo administration, is now a free man. Faeldon was released from detention Saturday afternoon after the military leadership granted his request to be released to the custody of a superior officer, according to his counsel, Trixie Angeles. Angeles said Armed Forces chief Gen. Ricardo David released Faeldon to the custody of Palawan-based Lt. Gen. Juancho Sabban, commander of the military's Western Command. “This means that he (Faeldon) was, like, released on recognizance. We have an accountable officer, in this case the accountable officer is General Sabban. General Sabban only needs to ensure that he (Faeldon) attends his hearings," Angeles said on Sunday. Faeldon left the Marine detention facility around 4 p.m. Saturday, making him the last military personnel linked to the failed attempts to overthrow the Arroyo government to be released from jail. On Sunday, he was seen among the crowd of devotees who joined the procession of the Black Nazarene image in Manila.

In December, Faeldon, through Angeles, asked David to release him to the custody of Sabban after posting a P100,000 bail each for pending coup d’etat and rebellion cases he is facing before the Makati City Regional Trial Court. Permission from the Armed Forces leadership was required for Faeldon’s release as he is also facing court martial proceedings in connection with his involvement in the short-lived July 2003 Oakwood mutiny and in the Nov. 2007 siege of the Manila Peninsula Hotel. Asked if Faeldon will be based in Palawan and report directly to Sabban, Angeles said: “No. He only needs to inform General Sabban or his representative of his status." “His only obligation is to attend the [court] hearings," Angeles added. Angeles said Faeldon has yet to decide if he would avail of the amnesty being extended by President Benigno Aquino III. “Not yet. It may take some time, I’m sure," she said. Among those who had already applied for the amnesty was Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, a former Navy officer who also participated in the 2003 and 2007 attempts to dethrone then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, whom they accused of corruption. The Department of National Defense started accepting amnesty applications Monday last week. As of Friday, a total of 91 personnel, including 38 officers, have applied for the amnesty. Angeles had criticized a provision in the amnesty proclamation’s Implementing Rules and Regulations requiring applicants to admit guilt of violating the Constitution, criminal laws and the Articles of War. — KBK, GMANews.TV