Army wraps up probe on 53 officers and men

The office of the Army’s Inspector General has wrapped up the investigation on 53 officers and men, including former First Scout Ranger Regiment (FSRR) commander Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, for their role in last month’s failed plan to overthrow the Arroyo government. Interviewed at the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Army inspector general Maj. Gen. Ferdinand Bocobo said he has already wrapped up the investigation, where some of the 53 officers and men implicated three more junior officers to the plot. Bocobo said he has submitted to Army chief Lt. Gen. Hermogenes Esperon the results of the probe against the group of Lim for review but would not reveal the contents of his findings, so as not to preempt the Army chief. Of the 53, Bocobo said 23 were officers while the rest were enlisted personnel who are either detained, restrained at camps, or under the custody of their commanding officers. Most of them, he said, are from the FSRR. “We investigated 53, we took their statements so that they will have their time to explain their side … I have submitted my report to the commanding general, to general Esperon … That (report) is still subject to his approval," Bacobo said. When asked if the 53 admitted to anything during the probe, Bocobo said: “Normally, those accused would not want to incriminate themselves. That is normal, but we have other sources who could prove their involvement." Bocobo said the Army is proceeding with another round of investigation after some of the 53 officers mentioned the names of three captains and lieutenants, as also involved in the planned march and withdrawal of support at Edsa Shrine last February 24. “A couple of officers have been implicated so we will call them to have a fair investigation. We will call them so that they can explain their side, so that the investigation will be two-way," Bocobo said. Last week, a source said that on top of Lim, eight more officers and 17 enlisted personnel from the FSRR are under restriction in various camps pending results of the investigation by the Army Inspector General. Bocobo refused to name the other officers subjected to the investigated. Pressed, he however admitted that among them was Maj. Jason Aquino, the former operations officer of the FSRR, who was ordered relieved early this month. Aquino was sacked as FSRR operations officer in July last year after he supposedly distributed pamphlets titled, “The New Order," which espouses change in government. The military later said Aquino worked under Lim. Bocobo tried to evade questions if Scout Ranger Capt. Ruben Guinolbay was also among the 53. Told that Esperon earlier mentioned his name as among those who are investigated, Bocobo said: “I am supporting whatever general Esperon says because he was the first person to read my report." Bocobo said his office investigated the 53 for possible violation of the Articles of War 67 (mutiny), 68 (failure to suppress mutiny), 96 (conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman) and 97, conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline). The Philippine Marines is conducting a parallel investigation against Col. Ariel Querubin, the former commander of the 1st Marine Brigade, for his role in the planned February 24 march and withdrawal of support. Querubin is also under investigation for his involvement in the Feb. 26 stand-off at the Marine headquarters after he led scores of officers and men in protesting the relief of then Marine commandant Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda-GMANews.TV