Magdalo soldiers former Marine Captain Gary Alejano and former Ltsg James Layug were released today after Armed Forces Chief Delfin Bangit approved the recommendation of the military court to consider the eight month sentence served as they have been in prison for almost two and half years after the 2007 Manila Peninsula incident.
(Left to right) Marine Capt. Gary Alejano; Lt (sg) James Layug; Lts. (sg) Eugene Gonzales;;Air Force Capt Dan Orfiano; Lt(sg) Andy Torrato
The eight others are former Lts. (sg) Eugene Gonzales, Andy Torrato, Manuel Cabochan; Capt Dan Orfiano; Lt. (jg) Arturo Pascua; and 1Lts. Billy Pascua, Jonnel Sangalang, and Armand Pontejos are expected to be also released tomorrow (Monday) after they have posted bail.
(Left to right)Air Force 1Lt. Billy Pascua;Lt (jg) Armand Pontejos; Lt (jg)Jonnel Sangalang;Lt (sg) Manuel Cabochan; and Lt (jg) Arturo Pascua.
Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV will continue to remain in detention as he has not been allowed to post bail in the coup d’etat case in connection with the July 2003 Oakwood incident.
Immediately after he was released, Layug, who is running for congressman in the second district of Taguig, went to attend mass with his family in Baclaran church. He said, “It (the release) came as a surprise. We have been used to expecting for the worse.”
Layug said it is good to know that AFP Chief Delfin Bangit respected the independence of the military court and did not disapprove the decision. He said the message they received from Bangit was “Move on.”
Layug will hold a press conference Monday, April 19, 12 noon at the AFP EP Village covered court.
Alejano will be going home to Sipalay, where he is running for mayor.
Last April 7, the ten entered a plea bargain and pleaded guilty to charges of violation of Articles of War 63 (disrespect to the President), 96 (conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman), 97 (conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline) and 70 (escape from confinement). The charge of mutiny was dropped.
They were sentenced to eight months in prison. Since they have been in detention for almost eight years (two since the 2007 Manila Pen incident) , the court considered the sentence served.
Much earlier, last February , the Makati Regional Trial Court Judge Elmo Alameda granted the petition for bail of those involved in the Manila Pen incident saying it was not rebellion but simply contempt of court. He set a P200,000 bail for each of the accused. The military however said, they could not be released while there was a pending case in the military court. That was resolved last April 7.
Statement of Layug:
Ako po ay lubos na nagpapasalamat sa Diyos at dumating din po sa amin ang araw ng paglaya. Ako rin ay taos pusong nagpapasalamat sa lahat ng aming mga kapamilya, kaibigan at kabisig na patuloy kaming sinuportahan at binigyan ng lakas ng loob sa nakalipas na anim (6) na taon at siyam (9) na buwan ng pagkaka-detayni. Nais ko rin bigyan ng kredito ang kasalukuyang AFP leadership sa kanilang propesyonal na pagtanggap at pagrespeto sa naging hatol ng General Court Martial.
Sa aming paglaya ay dala namin ang commitment upang ipagpatuloy ang aming mga ipinaglabang adbokasiya sa Oakwood at isulong ang Bagong Pulitika. Isang pulitika na naka-angkla sa prinsipyo ng: Nationalismo o ang pagmamahal sa sariling lahi. Patriotismo o ang pag-ibig sa bayan. Idealismo o ang pagtindig sa katarungan at katotohanan. At Altruismo o ang palilingkod ng may malasakit sa kapwa. Pulitika na kakatawan sa boses ng masa, ipaglalaban ang interes ng bayan, babantayan ang kalikasan at maglilingkod ng tapat sa mamamayan. Kung kaya’t kami ay aktibong lalahok sa halalan upang maisulong ang pagbabago at reporma sa pamahalaan sa parlyamentaryong pamamaraan. Kabilang sa aming mga kandidato ay sila Danny Lim at Ariel Querubin sa pagka-senador, Gary Alejano bilang Mayor ng Sipalay City, Dante Langkit bilang Governor ng Kalinga Province, Ashley Acedillo bilang Congressman ng Cebu 1st District at ako bilang Congressman ng Taguig 2nd District.
Ngayong halalan sa 2010 gamitin natin ang lakas ng balota upang maging instrumento sa pag-pili ng mga tamang lider na tunay na kakatawan sa interes ng bayan. Ang bukas na inaasam natin ay nasa ating mga kamay. Tayo ang magpapasiya kung saan patutungo ang ating bayan. Magtulong-tulong tayo upang pasiglahin at gawing matagumpay ang nararating na Automated Election ngunit maging “vigilant” o mapagbantay laban sa sinomang magnanais nakawin muli ang ating karapatan at boses sa balota.
Pagpalain nawa ng Maykapal ang ating bayan.
Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!
Am glad for these officers.
They can get on with their lives (and on the side, kick asses left, right, center!)
But why isn’t Trillanes with them?
I expect my candidate, James Layug to win, beat the crap out of his opponents and fight it out in Congress soon.
Of course, I expect the others to win too — they deserve it; they gave it all they got, time we the people back them up.
Lts. (sg) Eugene Gonzales, Andy Torrato, Manuel Cabochan;
Go Navy!
Sen. Trillanes is the only one not allowed to post bail in the Oakwood case.
He was not included in the court martial re Manila Pen because he was already a civilian when it happened.
Big surprise, isn’t it?
Yep! Quite a surprise.
Ellen,
How about Dante Langkit? Is he already out?
Dante is still in detention at the ISG in Fort Bonifacio. His case is mutiny in connection with the Feb 2006 non-event. His-co accused include Maj. Gen. Miranda, Brig. Gen. Danny Lim, Col Querubin.
He is running for governor of Kalinga. He is a bit frustrated that the case is not moving, and he continues to be in detention at this time when he should be campaigning.
Oh my! What a bummer for Dante. As you say, it was a non-event. They should release him. Pronto!
Don’t lose hope, Dante! We will ask a witch to cast a spell on Bangit and Gloria. (Damn that combo!)
Dante needs to go there and campaign. Heck, why are they bloody afraid to allow him to campaign? Because baka gantihan sila?
These junior officers (alright former junior officers) have far better moral fiber than the whole politicaldom combined.
Pound for pound, these young men can equal if not better the record majority of RP politicians when it comes to service to nation and people. In terms of education, they’ve got more than the rabid dogs in Philippine politics.
Time we gave them the chance to continue their service.
Well done, gentlemen!!!
Will continue praying for your release Dante.
Sen. Trillanes is the only one not allowed to post bail in the Oakwood case. – Ellen
Bummer!
Wow! Can’t contain my joy for the 10!
Ellen, I recognise Andy Torato and James Layug but not the others in the pics. Which one of them is LT Pascua?
Would be good to put a name to each of the faces…
Will caption now.I was so tired last night . Rather, it was already morning.
Bangit is deodorizing to make himself smell good, but his deodorant is not working. The stink is too powerful that his deodorant can not over-power it. Maybe he needs a stronger one, like giving Trillanes and Langkit their freedom. Anyway considering their long years in detention, they already served their time.
Here is why I believe Erap is qualified.
http://www.frauslatet.blogspot.com/
Happy Birthday to you Sir. I recommend a single malt, not Johnny Walker Blue (puro hype lang yan). Try Laphroaig or Balvenie. Mas masarap na, mura pa.
As Eddie Garcia says, everything in moderation.
21 tulog na lang and your punishment will be over…it’s putot’s time…ilagay na siya sa loob kasama ang kaniyang ampatuan family…isang familia ng mga walang hiya…malapit na..ang katapusan nila…Coming soon..Ampatuan-arroyo time..tadtarin; lechonin ang mga leche..and cremate..very well done..chop their heads..grind their meat…gawing pata at ipakain sa mga alagad nilang tauhan sa Mindanao..malapit na…
Finally! Still waiting for the others (Trillanes, Lim, Querubin, et al) to be set free. I know that these brave, principled and courageous men will not just stand by and let GMA and cohorts perpetuate themselves into power.
Magdalo statement:
The reformist Magdalo Group of erstwhile junior AFP officers had reason to be happy yesterday, Sunday, as two of their comrades were released from detention at the ISAFP (Intelligence Service, AFP) compound after almost 7 years’ incarceration in relation to the 2003 Oakwood mutiny and Manila Peninsula siege in 2007.
Ordered released last April 18, 2010 by the Armed Forces of the Philippines through an order signed by the Chief of Staff, General Delfin Bangit, were former Marine Captain Gary Alejano and ex-Navy Lt Senior Grade (LTSG) James Layug.
Expected also to be released today are former Navy LTSGs Eugene Gonzales, Manuel Cabochan, and Andy Torrato, former Air Force Captain Danny Orfiano, former Lieutenants Arturo Pascua (Navy), Billy Pascua (Air Force) and Jonnel Sangalang (Marines), and Navy Ensign Armand Pontejos.
This latest development comes at the heels of their recent conviction under a military tribunal last April 7, 2009 which found them guilty of violating the 70th Article of War (breach of arrest and/or escape from confinement); violation of the 63rd Article of War (disrespect toward the President); violation of the 96th Article of War (conduct unbecoming an officer and gentleman); and violation of the 97th Article of War (conduct Prejudicial to good order and military discipline) – and being sentenced thereafter to a total of eight (8) months imprisonment. Having already served more than 2 years in detention since the Manila Pen siege (which brought on these charges), their punishment was deemed as time served.
An earlier charge for violation of the 67th Article of War (Mutiny or Sedition) was also dismissed.
Alejano and Layug’s release is just as timely, since both are running for local posts, along with another Magdalo officer and Cebu City north district congressional candidate, Francisco Ashley Acedillo. Alejano is running as Mayor of Sipalay City in Negros Occidental, while Layug is running as Congressman of the second district of Taguig City.
Commenting on the release of his comrades, Acedillo, who is also Magdalo national spokesman, had this to say: “This is an answered prayer for the Magdalo officers, their families, and supporters. On a personal note, I am very happy to finally see them make their walk of freedom.”
Magdalo national chairman Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, though, still remains in detention at Camp Crame.
That is good news. But they had been in detention for 30 months and their sentence is only 8 months. Sobra ang punishment by 22 months. So where is the justice there?
If there is injustice, shouldn’t this be rectified? Shouldn’t there be punishment for those who did the injustice?
What about their lost family income for the 22 months na sobra? Who pays for these?
Curious lang ako, yung bestfriend ko ba na si Henry90 ay kabilang kaya sa mga magigiting na sundalo gaya ng mga Magdalo na tumayo at lumaban sa tiwaling pamamahala ni Gloria Arroyo?
O di kaya ay panay kahanginan lang siya?
Kung kasali siya sa mga pagkilos then, good yon pero kung wala, excuse me po!
the only way these honourable persons will be able to go on with their lives is to see that justice is served and that is by suing those responsible for their malicious incarceration.
hopefully the other Magdalo soldiers won’t be bought and corrupted by villaroyo…….
all Magdalo soldiers will be released once Noynoy wins the presidency ……….. Noyoy is the only one who has word of honor.
Ang ga-gwapo naman yang mga Magdalo officers. Ang matipuno pa.
Are Billy and Art Pascua brothers? They have a resemblance. Guapo sila ha.
gaya ng mga Magdalo na tumayo at lumaban sa tiwaling pamamahala ni Gloria Arroyo — andres
Hi Andres!
Rest assured, I’m not commenting to your post in defence of your “best friend” because I believe he can defend himself but would like to comment to that particular line of yourse generically if I may.
From what Henry has said, he operated “clandestinely” as warrants intelligence officers and to me, anyone operating in that field would be hard put “to itemise” what they’ve done or still do for obvious reason. It would be unfair to ask a military man to reveal the secrets of the intelligence trade.
I say this because of a personal experience. My husband who’s been in naval/submarine exercises many years ago still refuses reveal to me certain aspects of their operations involving chase operations because they are and will always be considered highly sensitive.
Thanks Anna. I won’t dignify Andres’ comment. Even if he’s entitled to one. It’s very difficult to argue with someone who is not familiar with the military landscape. . .Apparently, he doesn’t even have a clue that the ringleaders of Magdalo are all from Class 95, my underclassmen. . . How can u argue with his logic? :-p
🙂
Happy to hear they are FREE. Sad to know that our system of Justice is still dependent on personalities instead of the merit of the case. Nuon pa sana sila nakalaya. Ano kaya ang gagawin sa iba pang mga kaso katulad ng maquindanao massacre at morong 43? Bugok!
They are men of courage, conviction and moral…let’s put to use these good men for the sake of our beloved Pinas, don’t be afraid. 🙂
Just to simplify one of the pillars of intelligence operation: do not tell to a friend what your enemy should not know.
Treat any info as sensitive and useful but dangerous part of any operation.
Ka Andres,
Sa pagkakaintindi ko, si henry90 ay nagsawa na rin sa pag-uulat noon sa mga kupal tungkol sa galaw ng mga kalaban dahil bising bisi sa pagsasaya ang nakaupong presidente kasama ang kanyang mga kaibigan at pinagtitiwalaang bandang huli ay siyang mga nagkanulo at naghudas kaya madaling naagaw ang kapangyarihan.
Bilang isang intelligence operative, hindi magagawa ang ipagkatiwala ang anumang impormasyon o bahagi nito kahit sa kamag-anak o pinakamatalik na kaibigan sapagkat magbubunga ito ng pagpalpak ng anumang operasyon. Saka hindi dapat na maliitin ang naging assignment ni henry90 dahil isa ito sa pinakamahalaga at pinakakritikal na bahagi ng military organization.
Kaya nga lamang kung minsan ay nawawalan ng silbi ang intelligence gathering ay dahil na rin sa pagwawalambahala ng mga nakapuwestong ang mas pinaniniwalaan ay ‘yung mga Ewan info na galing sa mga sipsip na wala namang ginagawa kundi ang magkamot ng tiyan.
.Apparently, he doesn’t even have a clue that the ringleaders of Magdalo are all from Class 95, my underclassmen.
——————————
Aha, ikaw pala yung magan magan na nagmasemase sa mga yun?! 🙂
Sabi ng Inquirer: Lieutenants Eugene Gonzalez, Andy Torrato, Manuel Cabochan and Arturo Pascua Jr., Captain Segundino Orfiano, 1st Lt. Billy Pascua, 2nd Lt. Jonnell Sangalang and Navy Ensign Armand Pontejos were released from the Philippine National Police Custodial Center around 6:40 p.m.
___
Yehey, guys… Good Luck!
to get support of MILF, villaroyo forged agreement with MILF to implement gma’s MOA, thus dismembering Phil territory, a treasonous act against the Filipino people and Phil constitution ……
Re #29, Becky , yes, Art and Billy Pascua are brothers.
Sa pagkakaintindi ko, si henry90 ay nagsawa na rin sa pag-uulat noon sa mga kupal tungkol sa galaw ng mga kalaban dahil bising bisi sa pagsasaya ang nakaupong presidente kasama ang kanyang mga kaibigan …….MPRivera at para na rin kay henry90.
Kapag nag report ba si pareng henry90 ay deretsong darating yon kay Erap? Di ba mago makarating yong report kay Erap ay dadaan muna yan kay angelo reyes na kakutsaba ng mga yellow liars o sa commander ng PSG? Sino sa mga nakapaligid kay Erap na nag report sa kanya na ma ko coup d’etat sya?
Ngayon tingnan natin ang US. Si Pres. John Kennedy ba ay may nag report sa kanya na papatayin sya mismo ng mga nakapaligid sa kanya na secret service at CIA na order ng Luciferian Jesuit? Mismong yong governor ng Texas noon na si John Connally at yong vice-president ni Kennedy noon na si Lyndon B. Johnson ay kakutsaba sa pag patay sa kanya. Bising bisi ba sa happy hour si Kennedy kaya napatay sya at hindi lang coup d’etat ang nangyari sa kanya?
Henry,
As to your question whether have i experienced being in a battlefield or being peppered with bullets by rebels, yes i have, but in a different battlefield, here in Metro Manila. I have joined numerous protest actions against this regime of Gloria which a lot of you help installed. Because of her ruthlessness and the ambition of a lot of uniformed men like you, i was subject to tear gas truncheon and on some occasions, gunfire like what happened during Edsa Tres.
Kaya tol, pareho lang tayong may karanasan sa laban. Yung iyo trabaho, yung akin paninindigan. Kaya wag mo maliitin kung tumayo man ako sa paniniwala ko.
Kaya tol, pareho lang tayong may karanasan sa laban. Yung iyo trabaho, yung akin paninindigan. Kaya wag mo maliitin kung tumayo man ako sa paniniwala ko.
———————-
Keep your head down then, and hide, hide, hide, like the frightened mouse you are…
xman – April 20, 2010 6:58 am
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Kapag nag report ba si pareng henry90 ay deretsong darating yon kay Erap? Di ba mago makarating yong report kay Erap ay dadaan muna yan kay angelo reyes na kakutsaba ng mga yellow liars o sa commander ng PSG? Sino sa mga nakapaligid kay Erap na nag report sa kanya na ma ko coup d’etat sya?
http://www.ellentordesillas.com/?p=10546
igan, may sagot dyan si Anna:
AnnaDeBrux – April 20, 2010 7:48 am
What’s surprising is that there were already snippets of news that or retired generals were stirring trouble, eg., Abat, Alvez (classmate of Calimlim, PSG chief under Erap), etc., before the impeachment exercises and months before the actual “withdrawal of support” yet Erap seemed to have taken these things for granted and so, he was caught flat-footed in January.
Jug,
Bakit pati ako sumasali dito sa sagutan namin? Kung di ka sumasang-ayon sa aking pananaw manahimik ka na lang sana. Bakit mamaliitin mo pa ako na tila dagang takot?
Kailangan ba ito?
Cool ka lang Andres, keep it real, its not that you’re a victim of injustice or what, bakit naghihirap ka ba talaga? We’re just bloggers here, armchair generals, spectators, etc., sometimes we talk nonsense, like I do all the time… 🙂
“It would be unfair to ask a military man to reveal the secrets of the intelligence trade.” – Anna
It’s a FAIR question. It becomes UNFAIR only if media person or any person for that matter becomes obnoxious, in other words “makulit”.
Take the case of that AmBoy FBI Intel/Analyst who caved in by stealing highly classified materials and sold them to Noypi operatives who are just very “makulit”.
The short story was AmBoy was approached, greed danced thru his head; got caught and now sitting he prison where he belongs.
“I say this because of a personal experience. My husband who’s been in naval/submarine exercises many years ago still refuses reveal to me certain aspects of their operations involving chase operations because they are and will always be considered highly sensitive.” – Anna
Highly classified traffic (messages or materials) usually have declassification date/s. It of course doesn’t give your husband the right to spell out the beans once the downgrading and declassification had passed. But he could have shared them with you, and that’s where “utmost loyalty” to your country and your profession comes into play. Just what kind of a person you are. Your hubby by all means did the right thing. Keep in mind, there are wives out there whose brains are different, maybe from yours. They’re like kids, you tell a secret, or gave them a toy – and in a minute they’re out in the neighborhood broadcasting their new find!
I possessed TS clearance, entered Crypto areas, read highly sensitive traffics but when I went home after work, those things never followed me; and my wife really had no business knowing about them. That’s the gigantic difference between me and AmBoy FBI analyst, am having fun with my two little grandkid warriors (boy/girl), while he is scratching his stupid head in his cell, as we speak. Sad story but true.
In a battlefield, both sides are armed. But it’s nice to know that ang “paminsan-minsan” na protests is also considered a battlefield. Yung mga sundalo sa bundok eh araw-araw, di alam kung babarilin ng mga rebels anytime 24/7.
This world (or life) is considered a vast arena. Everyone is considered a warrior is his/her own way.
Mahirap naman kasing sabihin palagi na ‘yung mga kawal lamang ang humaharap sa laban. Pati na rin ang mga sibilyan. ‘Yun nga lamang, sa ibang uri ng larangan.
That’s were “kayabangan” is being treated by some. Huwag naman sanang isipin na when one shares his own experiences, tatawagin na kaagad na “kahanginan”.
Please remember, views/opinion sharing lamang po. Puwedeng may asaran, wala la’ang pikunan.
Tan-taran Chuchurut-churut!….
True Blue — you’ve outlined things re intel better than I could ever do… Thanks.
Hey Tongue… you having fun? Btw, learned that you’re in hospital. What are you doing there? Are you alright?
True Blue — do I take it you were with the air force? USAF perhaps?
marami ding klase ng sundalo. may sundalong putik at sundalong kanin.
Hehehehe. . .sabi ko na nga ba e. . . napalo tong si Igan Andres ng truncheon kaya pala galit sa sundalo. . .akala ko ba e atapang a tao. . . a bilis atakbo? lol. . .lambing lang yan igan. . . . oo na . . .mabait na si Erap mo. . .hehehe. . .wag na a alburoto. . . . 🙂
“True Blue — do I take it you were with the air force? USAF perhaps?” – Anna
I watched too many espionage, military thriller movies, and sorrounded by so many ex’s (military men, DEA, one CIA retired whose lips are just SEALED), kaya para na rin akong one of them, hehe….
Dalawang Hudas, Senga at Esperon sabit sa 2006 kudeta.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/video/nation/04/22/10/lim-bares-names-generals-who-planned-coup-vs-arroyo