Court martial proceedings against the dozens of officers implicated in last year’s failed power grab failed to progress anew due to the prosecution’s failure to furnish the defense with pre-trial advice which served as the basis for convening the court martial.
The pre-trial advice reversed the findings of a pre-trial investigation panel that dismissed the mutiny charges against the officers led by former Scout Ranger chief Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim and former Marine commandant Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda.
The pre-trial advice, prepared by Col. Pedro Davila, the staff judge advocate of AFP chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, restored the mutiny case, which was subsequently approved by Esperon.
The pre-trial investigation panel said there was no strong evidence to try the accused for mutiny. The panel merely recommended charges of conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman and conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline.
Defense lawyer Trixie Angeles said that while they have been already furnished with copies of the pre-trial investigation report, they were yet to be given copies of the pre-trial advice which she said they need in the defense of their clients.
“The PTA should be attached to the charge sheets furnished to the accused. Without this basic document, there is no case,” said Angeles. The court agreed with the defense, setting aside the contention of the prosecution that there was no need to furnish the defense with the pre-trial advice.
The court’s president, Southern Luzon Command chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano, directed the prosecution panel to furnish the defense lawyers and their clients with the copies of the pre-trial advice within 72 hours.
Yano set the next hearing on June 15.
The court martial proceedings have not made a significant progress since it started in December. The members of the court have yet to take their oath and the accused are yet to be arraigned.
If the accused are not arraigned before Feb. 25 next year, which is the second anniversary of the supposed plan to oust President Arroyo, their case would be deemed dropped based on the two-year prescription period.
Off court, defense lawyer Francisco Chavez said they need the pre-trial advice in filing a motion for reconsideration before Esperon’s office. “We will file a motion for reconsideration not in the Supreme Court but to the guy who started this all, Esperon and tell him to come to his senses,” said Chavez. – Victor Reyes
Photo captions:
1. Ma.Gen. Renato Miranda with Mrs. Miranda and grandchildren.
2. Gen. Miranda’s grandchildren.
3. Col. Orlando de Leon and wife Dahlia.
4. Lt Jacon Cordero, the youngest officer-detainee, with wife Mazenith and son Jazen.
5. Brig. Gen. Danny Lim and daughter.
6. During a break in the hearing.From left, Col. Archie Segumallian, Col. Custodio Parcon, Capt. Frederick Sales, Capt. Isagani Criste.
7. Waiting for their ride after the hearing: Mrs. Aloy Lim, wife of Brig.Gen. Lim (in blue), Col. Segumallian, Col. Ariel Querubin,Col de leon, Maj. Doctolero and son.
8. In a huddle during a break: Capt. Ruben Guinolbay. Capt. Dante Langkit, Capt. Fontiveros.
9. Maj. Francisco Domingo Fernandez.
10. Capt. Ruben Guinolbay
11. Col. Querubin and Capt. Langkit
12. Joan Bondoc of Inquirer, Ces Drilon of Abs-Cbn, me and other members of media behind the military cordon.
Yamashita’s trial lasted for almost four months.The Nuremburg trial lasted for over a year. Justice was served to all accused.
The 28 officers and dozens of soldiers have not been formally and legally charged yet they’re detained for more than a year now.
Esperon is deliberately delaying the proceedings. He is steering the course of the court. Like Gonzales, justice to him is a prerogative.
As many have said over and over again, as long as the Philippines is led by a criminal, justice will not be served and criminalism will prevail. Fortunately, this election has proved to be a national referendum on the criminal. The next step is for justice to be upheld or the Philippines be doomed.
Sanamagan!
“The pre-trial investigation panel said there was no strong evidence to try the accused for mutiny.”
What does Esperon really want? He wants his investigators to FABRICATE charges agains these officers so he can pin them down? Then, why doesn’t he say so and get it over with?
This pseudo-gentleman and 3rd rate officer doesn’t even have the balls to say things publicly. And he thinks he is worthy of 4 stars? Why, I wouldn’t even give him the rank of a TSgt if I were an officer in active service.
He’s a coward, a military maniac but a frigging coward.
Ma’m Ellen, everybody
I changed my handle from SleeplessinMontreal to Xanadu meantime that I’m still on vacation. I’m not comfortable of signing my name as if I’m Montreal which is not naman. Thanks.
By the way, Trillanes is now no. 10 in the latest Namfrel tally. And yes, we’re all set for today’s rally.
PERSECUTION!
We could surmise that there will be a sure impact of the votes garnered by the opposition senators especially by Trillanes in the ongoing court martial of the perceived coup leaders and followers. A cousin in the military texted me about the happy smile on the face of his fellow soldiers on any mention of Trillanes. It could only mean that they are whistling the same tune. Our hint is they’ll advance to be recognized. In time.
We also are all “stuck” to the feeling that these officers are true heroes. They will go down in history as the most honorable men, courageous at our time.
From Pasabayan, mistakenly posted in another topic:
This is Assperon’s prerogative, to break the law to please his mistress. It is very obvious that he does not have a case against these officers but he wants to keep them in detention because the elections were to proceed according to their massive plan of cheating again! Remember that the root cause of these officers incarceration was the 2004 election cheating. The same areas are now in question again in the supposed cheating operations in this May elections. These officers stood up for what was right and now they are incarcerated! The documents that the lawyers of the accused had been demanding from the appointed panel were the same documents demanded all throughout all the hearings. But to keep these officers in detention, Assperon’s dogs have to issue these documents piece meal. It will not surprise me at all if the next hearings will be this way all throughout until Assperon leaves his post or even beyond as long as the tiyanak stays in her stolen position. Assperon knows that he is doing gravely wrong to these soldiers. I will not also be surprised if by now, this Hitler like bodyguard Assperon has secured his future by purchasing real estate properties in countries like Australia, the US or even Europe to make sure that he can readily ship out of the country once the tide turns. He is low life bodyguard and I certainly agree that he can not even hold the lowest position in the military under an equitable rule! But what can we expect from a Cheat of Staff who knows nothing but follow the orders of a bigger cheat than him, none other that a bogus President, tiyanak!
The saddest truth to all these are the suffering and sacrifices of the families of these incarcerated officers. Some of the children are just infants and toddlers. Some of these families are living in far away provinces and because of the extra burden of lawyer’s fees, it is simply impossible to pay for the fare to visit the incarcerated husband/parent. I heard that some schooling members of the families simply could not afford to pay for the matriculation and have to stop going to school for now.
While the Cheat of Staff and his dogs are enjoying the cognac and the caviar and having a huge chunk of the billions of pesos earmarked for military modernization, the officers who simply have the citizens’ welfare at heart are languishing in their detention cells. The only good thing that I can see in all these is, at least the people know who the good and the evil leaders are. Right now, the evil reigns, who knows what tomorrow brings!
I salute these men who tried to stand up against an incompetent and inherently corrupt government. My prayers are with them.
What is criminal justice in the Philippine? Justice served by criminals.
Delaying tactics is being exercised for the court proceeding to these honorable and gallant men. It will be a big headache to the next Armed Forces Cheat-of-Staff if Assperon is to retire without any formal and legal charges to these officers.
Assperon should really come to his senses.
Xanadu:
Pang No. 9 na si Trillanes in the Namfrel tally. Tataas pa siya when the real votes are counted. Sa probinsiya ng mother ko sa Badoc, Ilocos Norte sabi ng isang pamangkin ko, panalo daw si Trillanes. My nephew was one of the election officers there because he is a teacher in our hometown. An aunt used to be Superintendent of Public Schools there. Kahit sa Ilocos Sur, panalo daw siya huwag lang takutin ni Chabit ang mga tao doon. Kinana talaga ang walanghiyaan jueteng lord na ito. Salot sa mga Ilocano iyang Sabit na iyan! Masabit sana at makulong sa Muntinlupa balang araw!
Navy chief hits Trillanes’ Senate bid
05/23/2007
Vice Admiral Rogelio Calunsag, officer-in-command of the Philippine Navy yesterday said it was wrong for Navy Lt./SG Antonio Trillanes IV to run for the Senate, saying he must face the charges that had been filed against him for involvement in a failed mutiny in 2003.
“If you have many grievances, if you don’t like the system, you get out of the system. You don’t stage a mutiny,” Calunsag said, but was quick to add such is but his own opinion.
As a military man and graduate of the Philippine Military Academy, Calunsag said Trillanes should remember that “military service is anchored on discipline.”
“If you are a company commander, when told to attack a hill, you get that hill. You cannot refuse and say, ‘sir, we are only 120 troops against 5,000 on the hill,’” the Navy chief said.
Calunsag was part of the investigating panel that looked into the involvement of Scout Ranger and Marine officers in a botched coup in February 2006.
According to Calunsag, the best way to deal with mutinous soldiers is to pursue charges against them.
“Our approach is we throw the book at them so that other people will not follow. We have to be strict. If you let them off by just talking to them, they will do it again,” he said.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/20070523nat6.html
admiral kalansay, todo sipsip ka sa amo mo sa malakanyang na walang alam kundi kasinungalingan gayundin sa cheat of staff na katulad mo’y wala ng maipagmamalaking karangalan!
mga kinapon kayong mag lintek!!
“mga kinapon silang mga lintek!”
Re “Vice Admiral Rogelio Calunsag, officer-in-command of the Philippine Navy yesterday said it was wrong for Navy Lt./SG Antonio Trillanes IV to run for the Senate, saying he must face the charges that had been filed against him for involvement in a failed mutiny in 2003.”
Calunsag is an ambitious seaman whose lucky star made him Vice-Admiral.
He’s barking mad when he says it’s wrong for Trillanes to run for the Senate and wrong still to believe that his former underling isn’t facing the charges squarely.
That Trillanes brought his fight to the political arena is the right thing to do. I do believe that his 4 years of incarceration (and ongoing) means that he is facing the charges of failed mutiny.
So, what is Calunsage barking about? He should shut it, zip it, and forever be silent!
Anna,
I have a feeling that this Calunsag is just worried that Trillanes will target him when he is able to sit at the Senate for Trillanes being there will have a lot to tell at the Senate, more credible exposes than those of Lacson because he has seen them being done.
I know for a fact that a lot many guns smuggled to Japan for instance came from the Philippine navy. I have interpreted for these smugglers apprehended by Japanese police and a lot of them have revealed that those guns were being asked to be smuggled to Japan via some customs officials with connection with these military officials that is why I could understand very well the sentiments of officers like Trillanes, one of the very few gallant and enlightened soldiers of the Philippines who can make us proud!
I love your take on this. You know better than many of us about these anomalous activities of these sundalong kanin labas ang tumbong dominating now the Philippine military.
Yuko,
I know Calunsag… heheh! You just might be right because this pseudo-naval officer has many skeletons hidden in his closet.
Vice-Admiral Calunsag: Maraming “kalansay” (skeletons) kang tinatago seguro kaya ganyan ang mga salita mo against Trillanes. Military discipline? Ganyan pa ang ginagawa ng Chief of Staff ninyo? Esperon, Ermita, etc, are they PMAers
too? I know Honasan is. Are you people examples of a true military discipline? Vice could mean next to. Vice could also mean- bisyo na hindi maganda. Ang sabi nga “Preach, if necessary use words.” Be a witness of what military service is please…sana makita namin sa inyong lahat what it takes to be true soldiers- stout hearted men who will fight for the rights they adore. Mahirap gawin ano po?
Rose,
Ang alam kong vice ni Honasan—babaero! Iyong isa nga naging pasyente ng kapatid ko na may tulo!!! A friend of mine says she and her husband know the woman he was with when he was caught with his pants down!
Bakit pa binoto iyang ng mga pilipino? Iyan ang dapat itinuturo ng mga pare, na huwag binoboto ang mga babaero at lalakero dahil hindi babasbasan ng Diyos ang bansang pinamumunuan ng mga adulterers. Totoo iyan sa totoo lang.
ystakei: Nabasa ko a few minutes ago, na sinalubong ninyo sa Japan si GMA- ng protesta. CONGRATS! at arigato gosai masta! You know, I wanted to study in Japan in 1968 but had to learn Japanese. Ang hirap matutuhan. Ang alam ko lang-Sumi masen, Wakari masen Chotto mati. Ang Election sa Phil. talagang wakari masen.
You bet, Rose! Mission accomplished. The media were actually interested in the election fraud, but the Filipinos I recommended interviewed were afraid to talk especially with one of them already having a bad experience when she went home to get a second opinion about her cancer.
She was not allowed to board her plane and grounded for days before one of the Human Right Commissioner there intervened after we reported the matter there to some lawyers we know there. It’s how they threaten Filipinos who would not abide by the criminal’s rule.
Fortunately, her passport was not confiscated. The husband was in fact thinking of filing a case in a Japanese court and have such anomaly exposed in Japanese newspapers. I was actually praying he would. But before he could do it, the wife was released and allowed to fly back to Japan. Now, she is thinking of getting Japanese citizenship but I said, “No!” Her permanent residency is more than enough to settle her comfortably in Japan.
She said that the fools who apprehended her at the airport told her that her name was mistaken for some Japanese who attened the Asian summit in Cebu in January. Stupid talaga because she was carrying a Philippine passport, and she was not Japanese even when she was carrying her Japanese husband’s name!!! Sinungaling talaga!
It’s a reflection of what this regime has made of Filipino public servants. Ginagawa silang mga magnanakaw, mandaraya at sinungaling. Tapusin na iyan!!!
Assperon is delaying the proceedings with all intent because he is a big loser!
Baka hinihintay na lang niya ang retirement para kung matalo man sila, na pihado naman, ay hindi na siya ang Cheat-of-Staff ni Blinky. Inaasahan yata ng gagong ito na abswelto siya sa kahihiyan kung retired na s’ya! Loser Assperon.
Chi, Assperon already insured his future. He already bought real estate properties out of the country. Did you know that this Cheat of Staff is not even respected by his own children from his first wife( she passed away)? The original children can not stomach what their father stands for. They are very embarassed to be related to him. Do you know how a father would have felt if his own children do not respect him? So, how can this Cheat of Staff be respected by his men when even his own children are defying him?
PSB:
Yes, I am told of the son of Esperon in Japan who reportedly denies having anything to do anything with his father. The son is studying in a university in Kyushu.
Yuko, yes it is a common knowledge, the relationship of Assperon and his kids. Sad, isn’t it?
Tarantado siguro talaga ang mamang iyan, PSB. Kahit babaero ang ama ng isang pilipino, kung mabuti sa mga anak, mahal pa rin nila. Siguro talagang walanghiyang ama ang hanip na iyan.
Kakataka kung bakit may nagkakagusto pa sa ungas! Wala namang ka-taste-taste ang mga babaing pumapatol diyan! Yikes!
Sinabi mo pa, Yuko.
yuko,
sabi mo sa isang perfecture diyan sa japan nag-aaral itong anak ni espurol. ibig sabihin lamang na tunay at talagang hindi siya kumporme sa mga katiwalian ng kanyang tatay na hindi nga lamang niya magawang itakwil at isuka dahil tinatanaw pa rin niya (kahit paano) na utang ang pagbibigay buhay sa kanya bilang ama dangan nga at hindi niya gustong ma-identify sa huli (espurol).
…..dahil tinatanaw pa rin niya (kahit paano) na utang NA LOOB ang pagbibigay buhay sa kanya bilang ama…….
Siguro nga, Magno, but someone has told me that the son is not even bragging about his ties with Esperon, the sidekick of Gloria Impakta. Hindi ko nga natanong kung kasama sa Japan ang ungas e kasi pansin ko pirming magkadikit ngayon ang dalawa!
PSB,
I’m not surprised why Assperon is a TOTAL LOSER! Wala palang pamilya ang korap na ‘yan!
Ellen,
Thanks for the pictures and captions. I like them smiling and looking compassionate but unbowed! TOUGH GUYS!
Beauty si Miss Dahlia, ang kabiyak ni Col. de Leon!
WOW, and daming apo ni Gen. Miranda, best for his emotional support!
Pero halos infant pa ang anak ni Lt. Cordero. Kakaiyak naman.
***
Gen. Lim, Col. Querubin at lahat ng “officers and gentlemen” na kinatatakutan ni Assperon at Pidals, MABUHAY KAYO!
Yuko, meron bang nangyayari sa kanilang dalawa??? heheh!
Chi,
Hindi daw kasama sa Tokyo. Mukhang nahiya yata kung meron pang natitirang hiya, pero apat na bugaw ng Tongress ang kasama. Ipinagpilitan ang caregiver daw e sinabi na ngang di puede kundi marunong ng Japanese. Tarantado talaga.
Kita mo naman ang pag-aasikaso noong lalaki. Inaayusan pa ng kuwelyo ang kumag. Ang tindi!
Yuko, meron ng instructions ang official photographers, pakitang-tao ang mga walanghiya!
Looks interesting… Esperon having assets outside of the country. His sacrifices are paying off…being VERY LOYAL to his C-I-C…at the expense of the truly loyal foorsoldiers. He is no different from the past Chief (or Cheat) of Staff, AFP..Abadia, Mariano, Santiago, Defensor, Abaya, Villanueva…they all got their share of loot. Robbers all!!! Also, having a mistress…could that be an SOP for a Chief of Staff…Esperon and these thieves should be lined up in Camp Aguinaldo and die by firing squad…lastly, can Trillanes just be the chief of staff, perhaps many changes will be done..just a thought.
Noypi, the lowest rank to quality for a Chief of Staff is a coronel. Trillanes may no longer qualify to be a CS because if he becomes a Senator, he is officially out of military service.
Assperon is now married to a second wife, a doctor at the VLuna, na nagreynareynahan din sa hospital. I heard that all the contracts (equipments,supplies and etc) at the hospital has to go through her.So double kurakot sila ni Assperon. They have some children together, young, not even teenagers.
PSB,
Assperon’s first wife dead? The second also feels reyna in a sphere below EK. Lahat sila ay gustong maging queen of the enchanted realm, ginagalit nila ang mga bubuyog at tutubi!
Kaya nga cheat of staff ni Glueria si Assperon ..kasi napaka-walanghiya.(Iyan ang qualification bago ka maging miyembro ni glueria)..ito namang si Vice Admiral Calunsag ng Phil. Navy…dapat sa iyo sa palaisdaan lang hayup ka ! nagbabantay lang ng tilapia…. masyado kang sip-sip sa mga amo mong magnanakaw..malapit na kayong magsama-sama sa impierno..!
For your info, this Calunsag is also another bubuwit. Counter part ni tiyanak sa liit (lalaki nga lang)! Bob, maybe the tilapia will not even like this unano! And you are absolutely right, the number one qualification to be in the circle of the tiyanak is to be a criminal(close your eyes to murder, corruption and similar offenses). This is what all these incarcerated officers are fighting, all their superiors who are nothing more that just the tiyanak’s bodyguards and hatchetmen! Poor military, led by the two hemorrhoids(ebdane and assperon), Calunsag, Tolentino and the caldero. Calderon I think is just a little bit better that the others. Because of Calderon’s handling of the situation, Ka Satur did not reach his assassination destination.
heheheh! “Counter part ni tiyanak sa liit (lalaki nga lang)!” Di naman – 5’2 naman iyan e itong si Gloria 4’9, -malaki ang diferrence. Siguro ang mga pinipili ni Gloria ay puro maliliit to give meaning to the saying, “small but terrible”.
Anyway, lahat naman ng naging FOIC after 1994 puro maliit, the tallest after VAdm Billy Marcelo (5’9″) was Wong who was only 5’6. Hingco was only 5’4″. De Leon was 5’3″. Normally the minimum height to get into the PMA is 5’4″ but Admiral Sibayan got in even when he’s only 5’2″, I reckon, because his Dad was a PMA instructor.
Chi, Col. de Leon was in high spirits that day because of Mrs. de Leon’s visit, the first in many months.
Mrs. de leon is based in Zamboanga with their chldren. It was Mrs. de leon’s first visit in Tanay.
Jazen, the two-year old son of Lt. Cordero, has been assessed as gifted child so he will be enrolled in a school for gifted children. But the boy is undergoing tonsilectomy this week.
Kaya pala poging-pogi at happy si Col. de Leon. 🙂
I’m happy for the Cordero couple. I sensed at once that Jazen is gifted but not feeling so well.
Jazen, sige patanggal mo ang tonsil mo at ng makasipsip ka muli ng maraming ice cream. 🙂
ellen, thanks for the pictures and for your continued coverage of the alleged “coup plotters”. i depend on your blog for updates on capts. guinolbay and langkit and the others of course. it’s reassuring to see their pictures and that they’re still doing okay despite their incarceration. thanks 🙂
Hi Bill, Kalinga should be proud to have produced two outstanding, upright, principled officers. Capt. Guinolbay and Capt. Langkit deserve our respect and admiration.
Hi Ellen,
Yes we are. Although we are not proud of our politicians who are nothing but GMA lackeys 🙁