Military – Page 42 – ellen tordesillas

A People on Standby

Published by Ellen on December 10, 2007

by Enteng Romano
Convenor, Black and White Movement

As soon as the Manila Pen siege was over, there was a flurry of pronouncements from just about every political group as well as personalities from both sides of the political divide. Invariably, the statements depicted Trillanes and Lim as misguided, military adventurists, rebels, criminals, or arrogant fools for repeating the same mistakes in Oakwood and in 2006. At best, some would say they sympathized with Trillanes’ and Lim’s cause, but did not agree with their methods.

But why did they have to wait until the standoff was over before they spoke their minds? Simple. They weren’t really sure about how the incident would turn out and they didn’t want to be caught with their feet in their mouths just in case Trillanes et al prevailed.

Reminiscing with Rene

Published by Ellen on December 9, 2007

His voice, hoarse and not yet fully recovered, Rene Saguisag’s eyes sparkled as he reminisced Dec. 7, 1982 when Marcos’ military raided the office of We Forum, the sister company of Malaya, and the subsequent legal battle for press freedom.

He shook his head sadly when the conversation touched on the Nov. 29, 2007 incident at the Manila Pen and the arrest and handcuffing of media who covered the crisis.

On the eve of his checkout from the Makati Medical Center where he was confined after surviving a vehicular accident (his wife, Dulce, died) last Nov. 8; we visited Rene to mark the 25th anniversary of the raid and closure of We Forum.

Lim wants to be back in Tanay

Published by Ellen on December 7, 2007

by Ashzel Hachero, Regina Bengco and Victor Reyes
Malaya
Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim yesterday asked the Makati regional trial court handling the rebellion case filed against him and 35 other persons to order his transfer to the detention facility in Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal.

Lim, who was involved in last week’s standoff at the Manila Peninsula hotel in Makati City, is detained at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame.

Lim has been in detention in Camp Capinpin since last year for allegedly leading a plot to grab power from government in February last year. He and 27 other Army and Marines officers detained in the camp are facing court martial for mutiny, among others.

Nothing has changed

Published by Ellen on December 7, 2007

Today, Dec.7 is the 25th year anniversary of the raid of We Forum, the forerunner of Malaya, by Marcos soldiers for publishing articles on his fake medals. Sen. Joker Arroyo,Makati mayor Jejomar Binay, Rene Saguisag were some of the lawyers who helped WEe Forum/Malaya foudner Jose Burgos, Jr. assert freedom of the press. The situation today is as bad, even worse, than during the Marcos dictatorship.

Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, who is PDP Laban national president, yesterday expressed confidence that the Supreme Court will once again uphold press freedom as it did in its ruling on the case of Jose Burgos Jr. and other journalists who were arrested on sedition charges by the military 25 years ago.

In a raid on Dec. 7 1982, the military also closed down the offices of We Forum and its sister publication Metropolitan Mail, and seized all its printing machines, vehicles, equipment, and assorted documents and items.

Palace backs arrest of media men

Published by Ellen on December 7, 2007

Malacañang yesterday backed Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno on arresting media persons who violate the law next time a crisis such as the Manila Peninsula standoff takes place.

“Everybody should follow the law,” Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said.

Ermita said the media persons who were brought to the headquarters of the Metro Manila police after the standoff Thursday last week also could not complain of having been handcuffed because it is part of police procedure.

A nation of Sancho Panzas

Published by Ellen on December 7, 2007

by Raul Pangalangan
Inquirer

Had Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim and Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV succeeded last Thursday, would we be hearing today from all the naysayers? Indeed, success has many fathers and defeat is an orphan. But to the Monday morning quarterbacks out there, I ask: Would you rather have celebrated a tainted victory?

Sure it would have helped to have some prominent opposition politicians around. But in all candor, wouldn’t you have been more wary to see the likes of House Speaker Jose de Venecia at The Peninsula Manila? Wasn’t it the best endorsement that the new “Peninsulares” were absent and nowhere to be found?

‘Don’t let Trillanes attend session,’ SC asked

Published by Ellen on December 6, 2007

Senators Lacson and Pimentel visit Trillanes. Advised him to stay out of trouble.

by Tetch Torres
Inquirer

Government lawyers asked the Supreme Court not to allow Senator Antonio Trillanes IV to attend Senate sessions or be visited by his staff in detention because he “is more dangerous than a person accused of rape.”

“The information for coup d’etat contains allegations that petitioner led the seizing of Oakwood through violence, intimidation, threat and stealth for the purpose of seizing state power. This is definitely more dangerous than a person accused of rape,” Solicitor General Agnes Devanadera said in a 49-page comment.

Trillanes to Bilibid put on hold

Published by Ellen on December 6, 2007

by Raymond Africa
Malaya

Government has deferred its plan to transfer Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and other personalities accused in the Manila Peninsula hotel standoff to the New Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa City.

They are now detained at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame. Prosecutor Emmanuel Velasco said the plan would have to wait until Makati RTC Judge Elmo Alameda comes out with a resolution on the charges of rebellion and inciting to rebellion filed against Trillanes and 35 others.

“We will defer any action or planned motion to transfer out of judicial courtesy,” Velasco said.

Who’s telling the truth?

Published by Ellen on December 6, 2007

The court martial hearing of the 28 officers allegedly involved in the February 2006 attempted withdrawal of support from Gloria Arroyo scheduled for today was postponed. Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro, chief of the AFP public information office, said it was requested by lawyers of Brig. Gen. Danny Lim.

Vicente Verdadero, lawyer of Lim, said he never requested for a postponement.

Who is telling the truth?

by Victor Reyes
Malaya

A military court trying Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim and 27 other Army and Marines officers for the attempt to oust government in February last year reset to December 14 the trial scheduled for today because Lim would not be able to show up as he is still under police custody.

Nemenzo returns to martial law cell

Published by Ellen on December 4, 2007

Former UP President Francisco “Dodong” Nemenzo, released last Saturday from two nights detention in Camp Crame, is waiting for a warrant of arrest that will put him back in prison with 34 others who were at the Manila Peninsula last Thursday with Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim.

Nemenzo is among those charged with rebellion, together with Trillanes, Lim, Vice President Teofisto Guingona, Bishop Julio Labayen, scriptwriter Bibeth Orteza, and a number of Magdalo officers.

I met Nemenzo last Tuesday at GMA-7 when we guested together in Jessica Soho’s “Hot Seat.” In that two-night stay in Camp Crame, Nemenzo was in the same cell with six others including Air Force Capt. Danny Orpiano, and lawyer JV Bautista. He said the officers seem to be in “high spirits” despite what happened.

Category: Military