Five years ago, more than 300 young officers and soldiers took a stand against Gloria Arroyo’s corruption and misgovernance. They decided on Oakwood Hotel in Makati as the most strategic place available to them at that time to deliver their message to the people.
So many things have happened since then.
From GMA News:
The general court martial on Thursday ordered 11 Magdalo soldiers discharged from the military service, more than a month after the accused military officers changed their not guilty plea in connection with the failed July 27, 2003 Oakwood mutiny.
The sentence was promulgated against 11 junior military officers who faced charges for violating Articles of War 96 or conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman.
Message of Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV as he marks his first year as senator:
“Inside a jail, you are not witness to the state of the country with your own eyes: the rising cost of living in unequal proportion with a failing economic order. You are unable to hear the sentiments of our people first hand: pervasive cries for justice and accountability against perpetrators of political violence and corruption. You appear insulated from what others endure outside these walls: the disillusionment of a people in the Administration that blatantly betrays its own obligation to serve them.
Press statement from the office of Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV on the dismissal of the Supreme Court of his petitition to be allowed to perform his job as senator:
Regardless of the circumstances, be assured that this Senator will continue to serve you.” These were the fighting words from detained Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, upon the announcement of a Supreme Court decision barring his attendance of Senate hearings.
The 16-page unanimous ruling affirmed the decision of Makati Trial Court Branch 148 Judge Oscar Pimentel Sr. against Trillanes’ petition to be allowed to attend all Senate functions, to have an office in his detention cell, and to receive members of his staff in his detention office.
This is another sad day for democracy.
The Supreme Court junked the petition of Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV to be allowed to perform his duties as senator.
A Makati Regional Trial Court, meanwhile, dismissed the class suit filed by members of media and concerned citizens against government offficials responsible for the former’s arbitrary arrest and handcuffing duringthe Nov. 29, 2007 Manila Peninsula incident.
Following are the news reports:
Marami ang nadismaya sa pag-plead guilty ng 11 na Magdalo officers noong Martes sa paglabag ng Article of War no. 96, Conduct Unbecoming of an Officer and Gentleman.
Dahil wala silang media access, hindi nila masyado mapaliwanag ang kanilang desisyon. ngunit sa pagkakilala ko sa kanila, hindi nila ibebenta and kanilang paninindigan at hindi ko naman sila narinig na nag-affirm ng loyalty kay Gloria Arroyo.
Sa institusyon ng military, oo. Sa bayan oo. Hindi naman pag-aari ni Arroyo ang institusyon at ang bayan.
Check out statement of Atty. Trixie Angeles on this subject in the comments.
by Victor Reyes
Eleven junior officers facing trial in connection with the 2003 Oakwood mutiny yesterday changed their plea to guilty from not guilty to the charge of conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman.
The change of plea was made at the resumption of court martial proceedings and after a five-minute meeting with AFP chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano.
By Joel Guinto
Inquirer.net
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdVZ2dJcl2k&feature=related
or here:
http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=yuka2888
Fugitive Marine Captain Nicanor Faeldon said he was prepared to die in the pursuit of his “vision” to arouse “national consciousness.”
Faeldon surfaced on the popular video sharing website YouTube almost six months after he eluded arrest during a failed uprising by rebel soldiers on November 29 last year.
One good thing going for the new Armed Forces chief, Alexander Yano, is that he succeeds Gen. Hermogenes Esperon.
No one could do worse to the military establishment that what Esperon had done – bringing to the pits the reputation of the military establishment with his alleged participation in the 2004 elections fraud and for bullying those who chose to hold on to their principles of truth and justice.
The optimism that greeted Yano’s assumption of the highest military position is amazing. It should warm his heart. But it’s also an awesome challenge considering the damage that Esperon had done not only to the morale of the personnel but also to the personal lives of many of the officers and enlisted men.
2 others meted up to 7 years in prison
By Joel Guinto
Inquirer.net
Three alleged leaders of a shortlived uprising in 2003 have been ordered discharged from the service while two of their comrades were sentenced up to seven years and six months in prison after they were found “guilty beyond reasonable doubt” for violating the Articles of War.
Army First Lieutenants Lawrence San Juan, Nathaniel Rabonza, and Sonny Sarmiento were read their sentences during the promulgation of their case on Tuesday.