Update: Col. Querubin was released this afternoon.
An AFP statement quoted AFP Chief Lt. Gen. Ricardo David as saying “ Brig. Gen. Reynaldo Ordoñez will take full charge and responsibility for the custody of ex-Marine colonel Querubin and that of his production when so required by the court. He is also directed with utmost diligence to secure Querubin and prevent his escape (or) otherwise be held accountable for any violation of the pertinent provisions of the Articles of War, among others, AW 74 (Releasing Prisoner Without Proper Authority) and other applicable provisions of the Revised Penal Code on Infidelity on the Custody of Prisoners.”
“Ordoñez will have the responsibility of keeping and having Querubin in custody for future appearances in any of the hearings and proceedings before the corresponding SPGCM or as these courts may require,” he added.
by Ellen Tordesillas and Tessa Jamandre
VERA Files
(First of two parts)
The stockades at Camps Crame and Aguinaldo in Quezon City and the Marines headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig that once held scores of soldiers accused of rising up against the government are now empty except for three prisoners—a senator, the Armed Forces’ most bemedalled officer and a Marine captain who was a fugitive until a fortnight ago.
Their lives put on hold as their cases drag before civilian and military courts, these three prisoners are stark reminders of a restive military that rebelled against its former commander in chief, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, and represent government’s unfinished business with senior and junior military officers.
Each of the three stockades has a lone occupant.
Antonio Trillanes IV, a former Navy lieutenant senior grade and a civilian since his election to the Senate in 2007, remains in jail at the Phlippine National Police headquarters at Camp Crame, waiting for a Makati court to resolve coup d’etat charges filed against him and 21 other members of the “Magdalo” group. They were charged for laying siege on Makati’s Oakwood Hotel exactly seven years ago yesterday (July 27), on the eve of Arroyo’s third State of the Nation Address, to protest what they said were Malacanang-sanctioned irregularities in the military.
Please click here for the rest of the story.
PNoy should grant them the presidential pardon to show to the people that he understands their desire/dream for a morally upright and respectable AFP as well as in recognition of their service to the country.
These soldiers should be assigned to the most corrupt agencies of the government and let us see if they can walk the talk.
Baguneta, I agree with your suggestion. Fortunate for Sonny that he got elected into the senate but unfortunate that he could not show his ability to serve the people well. And for Col Querubin, he tried his hand on politics but with no freedom to get his intentions out to the people, he lost. Out of 60 candidates though, he garnered over six million votes and placed 19th. Not bad for someone who is incarcerated, has no money and organization except that of the NP, a party which suffered a big loss in the May elections.
Sana nga, Pnoy’s administration can harness these patriots to watch over the crooks who are imbedded in all branches of the government. Ngayon pa lang, ang dami ng anomaliya na nadidiskubre ang mga bagong nakaupo. I just hope that these new appointees will be true to their mandate and mean well for the people this time.
The Magdalos should all be employed in all government positions so they can help clean up our rotten system. Afterall a lot of these men are educated and hes the passion for a better Philippines. Sana si Pnoy eh tignan din niya ang posibilidad na ito para naman makatulong si Pnoy sa mga ito at makatulong din ang mga Magdalos sa gustong mangyari ni Pnoy linisan ang gobierno.
Kung ayaw nilang pabigyan ng Amnesty eh pwede naman yatang i-order ni P-Nyoy na bigyan ng Clemency ang mga magigiting nating sundalong nakakulong habang dini-dinig ang kaso. Parang House Arrest kumbaga. Para naman maka-move on na sila at ang bayan, tutal political naman yan. Lalo na si Trillanes na may basbas ng taong bayan na sila ay paglingkuran.
Just read in the news that Col Querubin got a provisional release. There will be a hearing on Aug 27 to hear the motion for reconsideration to dismiss the case. Sana nga madismiss na itong kangaroo case na ito para naman maka-move on na sila.
Si Sonny na lang at si Faeldon and maiiwan sa kulungan. Yung case ni Sonny kasi eh patong patong and that of Faeldon’s was compounded by his hiding. Sana matapos na ang mga kaso nila asap.
i think all 3 would be out of jail soon, the victory of P.Noy spells justice for them
Good News: Nakalaya na po si Col. Querubin. sana sumnod na rin sina Capt. Faeldon at Sen. Trillanes. Harinawa P.Noy…
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/197152/detained-col-ariel-querubin-walks-free-from-detention-cell
Magandang sinyales yan. I salute you Sir Lt. Gen. David! Sana lahat ng mga kasama niya rin.
Sina Col Querubin, Sen Trillanes at Capt Faeldon gayundin ang mga pansamantalang pinalayang opisyal kasama si BGen Lim ay pawang walang kasalanan sa taong bayan. Isiniwalat lamang nila ang mga kabulukan sa administrasyon ng babaeng hindi kailanman hinalal ng sambayanan subalit ipinagpilitan ang sarili niya bilang panggulo ng Pilipinas.
Sina gloria, sampu ng kanyang dating gabinete, sampu ng kanyang mga kaalayado sa Mataas at Mababang Kaulupungan ng Tongreso ang dapat na magdusa kulungan. Mahigit siyam na taon nila taong ginawang busabos at pinaging pulubi sa mga amot na limos habang sila ay nagpapasarap sa walang habas na pagliliwaliw sa iba’t ibang panig ng daigdig sa kunyaring mga state at official visits.
Makakalimutan ba ng taong bayan ang kanilang walang patumanggang paggastos ng salapi ng bayan?
Sino ang hindi kikilabutan sa halos milyong pisong halaga ng isang walang kuwentang hapunan?
Did I read this correctly? Some were charged before a civilian court (Trillanes) and some before a military court?
I think I know why.
It would have been bailable in regard to mere participants (soldiers) if they were charged before a civilian court like Trillanes. So they were charged before the military court to enable to government to detain them.
Another badge of selective prosecution. Basis din ito for dismissal, not as a defense, but as an issue of denial of equal protection.
Nasaan na yung civil case of the soldiers?
When is the deadline for the defense to submit its memorandum of law?
i agree with baguneta and parasabayan.
The soldiers or enlisted men (more than 200) were not charged in civilian court, just in the military court. They were released from detention after the core leaders apologized to Arroyo. A humiliation that they had to go through to free the soldiers.
The soldiers were reinstated to service two ranks lower.
SnV, the status of Trillanes case will be discussed in Part 2. In a few hours, it will be posted.
Ellen,
Exception dito ‘yung mga Scout Rangers who were detained without charges but dishonorably discharged by Ass.
Mahigit ‘ata silang dalawampu, di ba?
MPR, we are talking of Oakwood incident that happened in July 27, 2003.
The 40 Scout Rangers you are referring to were included by the military in the Feb. 2006 mutiny case that involved Maj. gen. Miranda, Brig. Gen Danilo Lim, and Col.Ariel Querubin.
It’s really confusing. That’s why in this two-part article, we tried to organize and summarize the cases.
This issue looks very simple to me really, as president Pnoy should be able to do aomething about this. The complications lie in the so called legal luminaries who are trying to make the president stupid taking his position in favor of the detained officers…My puny brain still can’t comprehend why its possible to coddle known murderes like the Ampatuans, give them tons of money, arms, etc., and its downright impossible to give these officers a fair shake? They haven’t murdered anyone, nor destroyed property – even the Manila Pen damages were inflicted by the clumsy police who’s leaders obviously can’t tell between a coup and a – what do you call that thing where someone meets members of the press of sorts?
Gloria is not the president anymore, why are these legal luminaries still fighting her cause?
Nung admin ni GMA napakahirap para sa mga miyembro ng magdalo makakuha ng hustisya. Ngayon nagsisimula palang ang admin ni pnoy ang bilis ng hustisya (for most magdalo). Tanong ko bakit ganun ang hustisya sa atin, whether military or civilian, kung saan ang anod duon sila tapos, i mean parang walang independence ang hustisya???
SNV,
Sorry, this part was edited from the final version of two-part article:
I understand after the lawyers have filed their summaries of arguments, the judge has 90 days to decide on the case.
Did I understand correctly?
The fate of Trillañes, Faeldon and 20 others also depends on how Makati Judge Oscar Pimentel would define coup d’etat. Pimentel is expected to decide the case within the year.——>Ellen and Tessa
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Eto na nga ba ang sinasabi ko eh. After having been incarcerated for the past seven years (and perhaps a year or more) Trillanes’s case is still a paradox, at least to us laymen who look up to the EXPERT JUDGEMENT of those (supposed)authorities who claim they “know-it-all” on the subject of coup de etat. But as it is, SILA mismo, hindi nila alam what constitutes a coup de etat !! Damn it !! They ruin the lives of people by passing judgement for (supposed) charges they themselves do not understand at all !! Pag-aaralan pa raw ng isa pang taon kung coup nga ang kasalanan ni Sonny sabi ni Judge Pimentel.
Are the provisions on coup de etat on the Revised Penal Code subject to individual interpretation ? Did it say anywhere in the code that, “provisions herein are debatable or subject to be edited depending on who the provisions will be applied to” ?
I have this much to say about Judge Pimentel. Maybe……….just maybe,…………. he does know that Sonny, in fact, is innocent of a coup per se (against his better judgement, of course). What he will probably do is to create loopholes in the provisions to fully satisfy the conditions for a coup for which Sonny will be jailed for for most of his productive life, and then deny him once and for all his senate seat.
So, habang pinag-aaralan pa ni Judge Pimentel what really constitutes a coup de etat to declare Sonny’s guilt or innocence, pahinog na muna si siya sa kanyang sariling “senate chamber”.
What a (f*&^%%ig life)!!!
Ellen,
That’s my point.
It was an unfair decision and order of a CSAFP to dishonorably discharge those Scout Rangers he suspected were joining the mutiny (in his dreams) in February 2006 after detaining them for several years without charges.
Inggit ang umiral sa supot na Asspweron na ‘yan dahil hindi kautlad niya na ipinagmakaawa ang pagkakaroon ng SR badge, sina BGen LIM at mga tauhan ay dumaan sa iba’t ibang test missions bago naging bonafide members ng elite Scout Ranger Group ng Army.
jawo, kaya nga in an earlier thread I rested my case about the presumption of innocence since it is VERY CLEAR that it is NOT CLEAR. The definition by one is not necessarily the definition of another. Universal principles are not universal, and predictability is virtually inexistent.
The worst that the judge can do here is that Trillanes et al will be found guilty and serve sentence awaiting Presidential Pardon. Henceforth all similar acts, whether there is use of force or none to capture any building will be considered a coup if the soldiers doing so are anti-establishment.
Imagine a group of hungry soldiers taking over a carinderia who happen to denounce the administration will now be called a coup.
Of the military men in recent news, it is Gen. Juancho Sabban that impresses me most. He said he will help in the pursuit of the truth re 2004 election cheating in the Truth Commission. He said he will encourage the Marines to participate since most of the men involved were from the Marines. He also spoke of the commanders who were disobeyed by their men for giving illegal orders and added that those lower classmen were now senior officers and are itching to punish those ex-generals who soiled their reputation as an organization.
How inspiring. Meron pa rin palang ganyan sa AFP.
Isang bagsak para kay Gen. Sabban.
Psb, paki-congrats mo na lang ako kay A & P. Up to the last moment ay hindi siya nag-initiate ng request for provisional release. Yan ang tunay na valor.
BTW, hindi ba si Iñigo Zobel yang nasa picture sa itaas katabi ni Col. Querubin?
Tongue, with Querubin out the only ones left are Trillanes and Faeldon.
There were some news items(I read one in Malaya by Victor Reyes) that says Cols Parcon , Segumalian and Lt. Ferrer have not been released yet.
It’s wrong. They are not in detention any more. They are back in their homes, in custody of Gen. Sabban. Those who don’t have homes here in Metro Manila stay in camp quarters.
Some even get to travel to the province.
BTW, hindi ba si Iñigo Zobel yang nasa picture sa itaas katabi ni Col. Querubin?- Tongue.
Yes. I understand they are good friends.
Makakarating Tongue. Thanks…heh,heh,heh. Yes, Inigo is a long time friend of the Col. Di ba nga dumating pa nga si Inigo sa stand off? Inigo is a Ninong of one of the older children of the Col. This was 17 yrs ago.
I feel so sad for these people, especially Col. Querubin who almost lost his life in the service of the country. He is fortunate to have found true love and a loving family, at least. Truly laying down your life for others is a thankless endeavor, and the Filipino people at times are an ungrateful lot. We have this odd habit of tolerating “winners” even at our own expense sometimes, good thing we had a victory last elections otherwise we could be seeing more of the same.
I believe the good col will be successful with whatever endeavor he puts his heart and mind to, using his “brute strength” and “native talent.” He just has to recall the “attitude” that gave him the strength to hurdle past obstacles to learn new skills and find ways to apply the old ones as he joins civilian life.
He came from an organization that worships “conformity” and any deviation is dealt with accordingly, be it good or bad, its still deviation and will be seen as a threat, perhaps to discipline, but actually its a threat to “control.” It would have been different if they won their cause, and the tables would have turned. Unless one of these men wins a seat in the corridors of power, they will be have this rebel “stigma” over their heads. That is why Trillanes must not give up, he must be able to take his place in the senate because it will spark the beginning of a paradigm shift. I believe, that given the freedom to speak his mind in the proper forum, he will be able to shed light on this gray area of sorts, that “blind obedience” to the chain of command regardless of the legality or morality of the orders it is executing. A military organization with a conscience…this organization itself is not spared by corruption, and blind obedience and protection of the integrity of the chain of command has allowed these corrupt elements inside to flourish and silence dissent…
ano ang relation ni Inigo sa mga Zobels of Ayala…isa siyang tunay na kaibigan..a true friend is a treasure…
Iñigo is the son of Enrique Zobel, cousin of Jaime Zobel de Ayala.
Kaya siguro pinakakasuhan noon si Iñigo, Amba Roy Señeres at FF Cruz, Jr. na sila daw yung civilian component at financiers ng “coup” nila Querubin/Lim et al, dahil malapit si Querubin sa mga yun.
Muntik na rin silang makulong, di ko lang alam kung paano inareglo, siguradong may lumakad.
I would not give importance to Señeres.He has a penchant for exaggerating his role.
I know a lot of people avoid sitting with him in a table. Nagkukwentuhan lang kayo about about national issues, sasabihin niya to gullible reporters plotting a coup.
Pansin ko nga rin yan. Doon sa kasong muntik din masampahan ng sedition sila Uncle Boy Aparri at ex-Gen Abat na nanawagan ng revolutionary transition government, siya yung parang bida e AGFO yung grupong yon, hindi naman siya militar. Ang papel niya lang naman pala ay nakipagusap kay Amb. Ricciardone tungkol sa 5 milyong OFWs. Nasarapan siguro dahil si Gloria mismo ang tumawag sa kanyang “destabilizer”.