Military – Page 31 – ellen tordesillas

All because of a chief of staff’s vindictiveness

Published by Ellen on April 16, 2008

Update: Maj. Aquino was allowed a six- day leave last Friday. He will be able to pay his last respects to his sister.

This appeared in the Tribune, April 16, 2008

A sister had long waited for a brother in her death bed, and when he called, she just saved her last breath to say goodbye to him.

Army Scout Ranger Maj. Jason Aquino never made it to see his sister before she died Monday morning. And to this day, that request, although approved by the military court, has never been honored by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr.

‘It was not Faeldon that ABS-CBN interviewed”- lawyer

Published by Ellen on April 16, 2008

By Joel Guinto

It was not Marine Captain Nicanor Faeldon talking in an interview that was aired on television on Tuesday evening, his lawyer said.

“That’s not him. That’s not his style,” said lawyer Trixie Cruz-Angeles, who represents the fugitive rebel officer in civilian and court martial cases.

At the same time, Angeles said the voice clip could be part of a ploy by the military to force Faeldon out of hiding.

Pathetic

Published by Ellen on April 13, 2008

Spare us, please, the lie that the guilty plea of Captains Gerardo Gambala and Milo Maestrocampo and seven other officers was not the beginning of the devious script that will end with Gloria Arroyo pardoning them.

Gambala and company were a pitiable sight in that presscon last Friday arranged by the military at the Philippine Army Officers Club. It was heartbreaking.

AFP Chief Hermogenes Esperon could have executed the script without subjecting the nine to further indignity with a public plea for pardon. The officers could have just written the fake president a letter. But no, Arroyo and Esperon get their high from torturing people.

Convicted ex-Magdalo officers seek pardon

Published by Ellen on April 11, 2008

‘Scripted clemency’ playing out?

by Victor Reyes

Nine junior officers who have been meted prison terms by a Makati court for the 2003 Oakwood mutiny yesterday asked for forgiveness for their misdeeds as they said they are seeking “mercy” from President Arroyo.

The nine, led by Capt. Gerardo Gambala, faced the media in a press conference in Fort Bonifacio for the first time since the promulgation of their sentence last Tuesday.

Miranda et al off to more fortified Tanay

Published by Ellen on April 11, 2008

Update, Apr 12: Col. Querubin back in the hospital after he experienced chest pain again Friday.
It’s a blessing in disguise that his planned transfer to Camp Capinpin last Wednesday didn’t push through.

More details in comments section below.

Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda and Col. Ariel Querubin were brought back to Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal last Wednesday (April 9) in what is seen as escalation of pressure by AFP Chief Hermogenes Esperon.

The rest of the officers will be brought back in batches to their former detention facility which was fortified while they were at the ISAFP compound in Camp Aguinaldo. While before the set up was barracks style, Esperon has individual cells built. Para ring nakabartolina.

Garcia vs Ombudsman, 2-0

Published by Ellen on April 10, 2008

Lady Justice is really blind under Gloria Arroyo’s rule

by Peter J. G. Tabingo
Malaya

Retired Major Gen. Carlos F. Garcia scored his second straight court victory against the government Thursday after the Sandiganbayan Second Division acquitted him of a perjury charge alleging misrepresentations in his 1998 statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).

Esperon working out deal with ‘Tanay’ junior officers?

Published by Ellen on April 10, 2008

Remember my column last April 4 titled “The offers”? More details are coming out:

by Victor Reyes
Malaya

A lawyer of officers facing court martial for an alleged overthrow attempt in February 2006 yesterday said Armed Forces chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon has sent a member of his staff to make “overtures” to the accused.

Trixie Angeles said Maj. Cristobal “CJ” Perez has approached the officers twice since last week, asking them what he could do for their pending cases, particularly those of the junior officers.

May sinira na naman si Gloria

Published by Ellen on April 9, 2008

Update: DOJ welcomes pardon for the 9

Halatang-halata naman itong mga opisyal ng military na puring-puri sa siyam na dating opisyal ng Magdalo sa kanilang pag-amin na guilty sila sa ginawa nila sa Oakwoong noong July 2003 nang nanindigan laban sa pamahalaan ni Gloria Arroyo.

Halatang-halata naman na may deal. Huwag na tayo magtaka kung sa susunod na linggo,
ipa-pardon ni Gloria Arroyo itong siyam.

9 Magdalo officers sentenced 6 to 40 years in prison

Published by Ellen on April 8, 2008

No worry. Esperon has promised them pardon very soon.

The Makati Regional Trial Court on Tuesday handed down a sentence of imprisonment ranging from six years up to 40 years on nine members of the Magdalo group who pleaded guilty to charges of coup d’etat for the July 2003 Oakwood mutiny.

Makati RTC Branch 148 Judge Oscar Pimentel sentenced Captains Gerardo Gambala and Milo Maestrocampo – who are among the Magdalo’s core leaders – to reclusion perpetua or 20 to 40 years of imprisonment.

Nolle prosequi

Published by Ellen on April 6, 2008

I took off last Thursday for a much-needed vacation so I missed the court martial hearing of the 28 officers accused of mutiny and conduct unbecoming of an officer and gentleman for allegedly planning to withdraw support from Gloria Arroyo in February 2006 after her thwarting the will of the people was exposed by the Hello Garci tapes.

But thanks to a friend who was in the hearing. She wrote me the following narrative of what happened last Thursday. I’m sharing this with you to better understand the latest development on the case of these patriot-officers who continue to hold on to their principles despite emotional, economic and physical hardships.

Category: Military