AFP releases 53 Magdalo officers from detention

Fifty-three Magdalo officers involved in the 2003 failed Oakwood mutiny will finally leave detention on Thursday consistent with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s issuance of a general order commuting the jail sentence of the detained military officials. Armed Forces chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr told reporters that 53 of the 54 Magdalo officers detained by the military after they pleaded guilty to certain violations of the Articles of War for their involvement in the July 27 Oakwood mutiny. Based on a General Order issued by President Arroyo, the Magdalo officers’ jail sentence was commuted, qualifying them for release last December 18. However, a few days’ delay was faced due to administrative processes covering their release, Esperon said. “The General Order number nine issued by the President for the commutation of the sentence of the 53 officers is effective December 18. Because of some processing requirements we can release them only now, so that effective today they are released as civilians," Esperon said. “They are separated from the service without prejudice to benefits that are due them for the services that they have rendered while in the service," he added. In the interview, Esperon said the lone officer who will remain in the Armed Forces’ custody is 1Lt. Patricio Bumidang, who has turned state witness in the civil case being pursued by the government against certain core leaders of the Magdalo. The military court earlier ruled to impose a seven-year prison term on the soldiers as well as to dishonorably discharge said officers from the military service after entering a plea bargain agreement with government prosecutors. This, after the officers pleaded guilty to violation of Articles of War 97 (conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline) in exchange for the dropping of other charges against them: AW 63 (disrespect toward the President, Vice President, members of Congress and the Secretary of National Defense); 64 (disrespect toward a superior officer); AW 67 (mutiny or sedition); and AW 96 (conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman) on April 11. Despite having been handed a seven-year prison term, the group would be staying in detention only until January 27 next year since the court credited the over three years and seven months the said officers have served in detention and shaved an additional three years off the sentence for "mitigating circumstances." The President's order commuting their sentence even made the group's release earlier. In the interview, Esperon said he conducted a dialogue with the Magdalo officers set to be released Thursday, where some of the officers expressed desire to return to active military service. While Esperon said this is still possible, he said it may take a long process before the discharged Magdalo officers will be accepted back into the military ranks. On the other hand, Esperon said the 29 core leaders of the Magdalo, including Sen. And former Lt. S.G. Antonio Trillanes IV, and Capts. Gerardo Gambala and Milo Maestrecampo will remain in detention. “(Of the core leaders of the Magdalo,) 12 of them, all Army officers have pleaded guilty to Article of War 96, who include Capt. Gambala and Capt. Maestrecampo and ten others. And so for all intents and purposes as far as the military is concerned, they have been punished for 96 and discharged from the service," Esperon said. “The punishment has been approved, however we are not releasing them yet because we have been given the duty and authority by Judge (Oscar) Pimentel, the judge in the RTC that is trying them for coup d’ etat to have continuing custody over them," he added. - GMANews.TV