Three weeks to the end of his extended term, Gloria Arroyo’s favorite general, AFP Chief Hermogenes Esperon is still at it with his “divide and conquer” strategy on the 28 officers he imprisoned for refusing to allow themselves in to be used in thwarting the will of the people in the 2004 elections.
Last week, Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda and 20 other detained officers were brought back to Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal more than two months after they were brought against their will to the ill-ventilated ISAFP detention quarters in Camp Aguinaldo. (Col. Ariel Querubin and Major Leomar Jose Doctolero are in Camp Aguinaldo hospital. Brig. Gen. Danny Lim is in Camp Crame with the Magdalo officers.)
Miranda is alone in a heavily secured facility for VIP detainees inside the camp. It’s the same place where former President Estrada was also confined before he was allowed to transfer in his private estate across the military camp before he was pardoned and set free.
The 20 other officers are back at their former detention quarters which was fortified when they were in Camp Aguinaldo. A relative of one of the officers said whereas before the setup was barracks style with all the officers in one big room, the officers are now in individual cells enclosed by steel bars. There’s a receiving room enclosed with chicken wire. There are six poorly -ventilated conjugal rooms.
But four of the officers – Col. Orlando de Leon. Lt. Col. Achilles Segumalian, Lt. Col. Edmundo Malabanjot and Maj. Jason Aquino are left in the ISAFP compound. There are no orders to bring them to Tanay.
The changes in their detention quarters defy rhyme and reason. When they were brought to the ISAFP compound early February, Esperon said that it was being done to be near hospital facilities because a number of them required medical attention. But the facility, lived up to the description of one lawyer as a “torture chamber” in this sweltering summer heat with its poor ventilation. More officers got sick.
With the return of majority of the officers to Camp Capinpin, Esperon’s justification of “to be near hospital facilities” has been exposed to be merely a cover-up for a more devious plan which is to soften the officers to proposal for the junior officers to plead guilty just like what former Magdalo officers Gerardo Gambala and Milo Maestrocampo and seven others did in exchange for a pardon from Arroyo. A plea of guilty by some officers would give the prosecution something against the senior officers Esperon really wants to pin down.
Looking back at the persuasive visits of Maj. Cristobal JP “Tiny” Perez, administrative officer of Esperon, to the younger officers when they were still at the ISAFP compound, Trixie Angeles, lawyer of Capt. Ruben Guinolbay, said he (Perez) would have been hard put to pass them on as “casual” if the officers were in Tanay. Unfortunately for Esperon, none of the officers took the bait he dangled.
Angeles said the four remaining officers in ISAFP – De Leon, Segumalian, Malabanjot, Aquino – are considered the “hardliners” and Esperon may be thinking that Perez would have a better chance convincing the younger officers without them there to confide in and consult with.
The next hearing is scheduled on Friday, April 25, at the Daza Park in Camp Aguinaldo. The prosecution is expected to tell the court martial panel if they have determined basis for a “nolle prosequi” which is Latin for “we shall no longer prosecute” or “unwilling to pursue”.
In the hearing last April 4, military defense lawyer Basilio Pooten entered an urgent manifestation for nolle prosequi. It will be recalled that a pre-trial investigation report on the Feb. 2006 alleged plan of the officer to withdraw support from Arroyo had recommended that the charge of mutiny be dismissed for “lack of legal and factual basis”. The minor charges of conduct unbecoming of an officer and gentleman and disrespect towards the president have prescribed after no arraignment within two years and are considered dropped.
If the prosecution finds basis for a nolle prosequi, they will make their recommendation to the chief of staff. Hearings may be suspended while awaiting decision of the chief of staff.
If the prosecution finds no basis for a nolle prosequi, the court will proceed with the arraignment for the charge of mutiny.
“Angeles said the four remaining officers in ISAFP – De Leon, Segumalian, Malabanjot, Aquino – are considered the “hardliners” and Esperon may be thinking that Perez would have a better chance convincing the younger officers without them there to confide in and consult with.”
These “hardliners” are exact opposites of Asspweron and other Garci Generals. They have minds of their own and even without their seniors can decide rightly and truthfully alone by themselves.
Keep on dreaming Ass, libre naman ‘yan.
I hope the officers in incarcerations still have wives and children like those of Col. Querrubin willing to fight with them for not just honor and dignity but most of all for truth and justice.
I take my hat off to the wives of General Lim and Col. Querubin whose courage and love of country are also now being tested by their trials and tribulations and all just because of the vanity and viciousness of a criminal and her minions. It is no wonder that they have bemedalled men for husbands.
Mabuhay sila and their families, especially the Mrs. of these gallant officers! Filipinos should not forget their sacrifices!
I pray that all this nonsense will be over soon. That Gloria will tire of lying and deceiving the people and most especially herself.
For the people around her, I hope they stop fooling themselves already, they have conscience and the fundamental option to discern right from wrong.
Yeah, but lets not hold our breath for that one, juggernaut. However, as long as there are men who continue to fight for what is right, Esperon and his ilk will have no hope of of ever sleeping soundly.
On another topic, I sure wish the government will allocate aportion of the 1Million reward for Faeldon to the efforts of finding Jonas Burgos. I don’t understand where their priorities are really. A couple of years ago, people have been quite vocal about food security already, deploring our situation as an agriculturally inclined country but importing our staple.
Was all the Northrail, and expensive infractructures worth it? Are they helping us now?
Ironic, the same people who left the country because they cannot find opportunities here are supporting the economy right now. I suppose Gloria will take credit for this also? What she should be doing is another “I’m sorry” I did not prepare the country for any disaster, as I was busy, you know I’m a hardworking president – working hard at what is for me to know and for you not to find out.
bok, if you’re logged on its me alfa bogobogo.
maam ellen i will give u a call sa friday afternoon!!!
ok. Yes I need to talk with you.
jug,
Two things we’re all dreaming and wishing you mentioned there that surely frustrate us all.
1. “That Gloria will tire of lying and deceiving the people and most especially herself.” – Never, because Mephista Gloria enjoys lying too much.
2. “..the government will allocate a portion of the 1Million reward for Faeldon to the efforts of finding Jonas Burgos”. Will never happen because they ‘did’ it to Jonas. The young Burgos was already kaput for them, no need to waste money that would have found it’s way to their pockets. Mas importante si Kapitan Nick ngayon for the Ass’s staying in power.
Korap Gloria and Asspweron are dancing the Mephisto Waltz and enjoying it so much.
Kawawa din naman si Esperon. Natatakot na yan. Malapit nang bumalik sa kanya ang lahat ng kahirapang binigay niya sa kasundaluhang Pilipino. Nangangatog na iyan dahil sa tingin ng iba, lintik lang walalng ganti. Akala ba niya pag SND na siya, ay makakabili pa siya ng oras bago bumaling na sa kanya ang galit ng mga opisyal at sundalong pinagmalupitan niya?
PNP behind Faeldon surfacing police asset
04/22/2008 http://www.tribuneonline.org
A police informant has revealed that the Philippine National Police (PNP) hired him to pose as fugitive Marine Capt. Nicanor Faeldon.
He was interviewed over a national television last week through a phone patch, saying the police would stand to get the reward if the renegade soldier is captured.
The man, who identified himself as Efren, in a radio interview, yesterday claimed that he was offered P185,000 to pose as Faeldon.
According to Efren, he supposedly received the money at the White House, the PNP chief’s residence inside Camp Crame in Quezon City.
He, however, said he only received P20,000.
***
Kagaguhan ni Asspweron bistadong todo-todo!
Nagkadengoyan na naman! P165,000 naibulsa ni Ass! Wala kasi kayong mga sariling balls…traydores sa bayan!
Hats off ako kay Trixie Angeles for standing by her client. Iyan ang tunay! Mabuhay ka Trixie! May your tribe increase!
Iyan mga ganyang uri ng abogado ang sasalba ng legal system sa Pilipinas. Pagbutihin ninyo, guys!
Nakakahiya talaga ang mga animal na mga pulis-pulisang iyan. Puro babaero kasi kaya kailangan ang pera pangtustos sa mga kabit nila kundi man sila ang tutusan ng mga kabit nila.
Wala akong galang sa mga unggoy na iyan. Sabi nga ng nanay ko, “Gone are the days when policemen were respectable and honorable like those of the old Manila’s Finest.”
Magkaroon ka ba naman ng mga pinunong tali sa leeg ni Gloria Dorobo. Tanda ko kasi noon ang mga pulis hindi pinapakialaman ng pangulo ng Pilipinas. Kung bakit naman kasi inilagay sa ilalim ng military ang pulisya ng Pilipinas kundi ba naman inutil din ang nagbago ng mga batas at palakad since Martial Law and worse, after EDSA 1 na lalo yatang nagulo ang sistema ng bansa. Lumakas lang;lalo ang mga kurakot na katulad ng mga Pidal.
My sympathy to all!
That’s right, Ellen. Esperon is still at it with his “divide and conquer” strategy. However, little does he know that by doing so, it would eventually work in favor of the remaining hard core officers still in detention. His strategy separated the weak willed versus the strong willed, the pretentious from the genuine, the turncoats from the patriots, those who waver from those who are decisive. Good riddance to those who changed their plea from “not guilty” to “guilty”. We, the people, don’t need this kind of personality in the military. The police and the military should not be in cahoots with a corrupt president. Gambala and company made a choice. A choice I’m sure they’ll regret in the future.
For those senior officers as well as the junior Magdalo soldiers still languishing in detention, they will all have a reputation worthy of praise in our history. Their sons and daughters will be mighty proud of them. Esperon will not succeed in pinning down the senior officers who were gallant enough to withdraw their support from a corrupt president such as Gloria Arroyo. Harsh living conditions and ill health never made them waver. Such circumstances only make them stronger. Nevertheless, these men are not without needs. They are getting almost nothing from the government. We can’t expect the government to take care of their needs, much less, their family’s needs.
In a television interview before the last national elections, Senator Trillanes was asked how will he finance his senatorial campaign. He stopped short in thinking and less than three seconds he blurted out the words “pass the hat”. I bet this remark gained a lot of laughter from his enemies. Well, they’re not laughing now.
When I heared Senator Trillanes say these words in confidence, I almost broke down in tears. He knew in his heart that there are people who would be willing to support his struggle. My point here is; Why don’t we bloggers likewise “pass the hat” to ease up the burden of the soldiers in detention? Why don’t we do something tangible for these men in uniform whose ability to provide for their family is hampered by people who chose to side with an evil president? Don’t you think they need our financial support besides our opinions? I’m quite certain Senator Trillanes could create a section in his office at the senate which would accept any voluntary help whether it be financial, medical, educational, etc., and apportion the appropriate aid to those concerned. To avoid controversies in the future, no individual could accept donations except the department at the senate to which Senator Trillanes would assign for this proposed objective. If we are really sincere in our efforts to help these professional soldiers who risked their lives for us, if we are really true in our desire to do anything in our capacity to bring down this corrupt government, then now is the time to walk the walk and not just talk the talk.
Correction, please.
“heard” instead of “heared”
Sorry.
Please leave me out of any fundraising.
Talking of raising funds, truth is I don’t hesitate to give to legitimate ones, but I thought this government of the Kurakot Bansot should not be allowed to get used to these fundraisings even for programs that her government has the task to undertake like the one being called for by some global organization of Filipinos that has been collecting money for the building of schools in the Philippines for indigent Filipinos, who do not even bother use them as a matter of fact because parents cannot afford to send their children to school. I find all these very unrealistic and only being taken advantage of by crooks like Gloria Dorobo.
Truth is that a lot many funds have already been given to Gloria Dorobo for her anomalous “Eskuwelahan ni Gloria.” Walang accounting ng mga buloy ng mga OFWs to this project as a matter of fact. Kaya minsan hindi ako nagbibigay kasi duda ako, especially when I make it a policy to fast before giving to any fundraising campaign, and the money for my food I give to charity to make it more meaningful for me and the recipients whoever they may be.